dang2 haan4 zi1 bui3等閒之輩等闲之辈
Definition
An ordinary person of mediocre ability or no special talents.
How it's used
This idiom is almost exclusively used in the negative form to emphasize that someone possesses hidden talents or significant capabilities. It carries a slightly formal or literary weight, often appearing in contexts involving competition, martial arts, or high-stakes professional settings. Using it to describe someone in a neutral or positive context is rare, as it is primarily a tool to express respect for a formidable rival.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for an average person, but it is rarely used to describe someone who is simply boring or unremarkable. It is specifically reserved for situations where you are surprised by someone's hidden competence or strength.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
