deon1 hau5敦厚
Jyutpingdeon1 hau5
Yaledēun háuh
Definition
Kind, honest, and mild-tempered; gentle and warm towards others.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes someone who is not only gentle and kind but also possesses a sense of sincerity and reliability. It carries a slightly formal or literary weight compared to everyday adjectives like 好人, often used to describe someone who is steady, unpretentious, and trustworthy. It is frequently applied to older people or those with a calm, patient disposition.
Examples
He is such a warm and honest person, everyone likes him.
Related words
Common phrases
a kind and honest elder
to be a person of integrity and kindness
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply shy or quiet, as the word specifically emphasizes a moral quality of kindness and integrity. It is not a synonym for being weak or easily bullied, even if the person is very patient.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
