cung1 wing6聰穎聪颖
Jyutpingcung1 wing6
Yalechūng wihng
Definition
Smart, intelligent, or bright.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Literary in nature, this term is far less common in daily speech than 聰明. It is typically reserved for formal writing, academic reports, or when describing someone with a refined, sharp intellect. Using it in casual conversation can make you sound like you are reading from a book or trying to be overly formal.
Examples
He was very smart from a young age; nobody ever had to worry about his studies.
Do you think this child is smart?
Related words
Common phrases
naturally gifted and intelligent
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 聰明, which is the standard, everyday word for smart. Using 聰穎 to describe a casual situation or a simple task will sound unnatural and pretentious.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
