din2 jing4典型
Jyutpingdin2 jing4
Yaledín yìhng
Definition
Typical; representative of a particular group, type, or class.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Often used to describe someone or something that perfectly embodies the characteristics of a specific group or category. It carries a slightly formal tone compared to everyday adjectives, so it is frequently heard in professional or analytical contexts rather than casual gossip. It is almost always followed by 嘅 when modifying a noun.
Examples
He is a typical Hong Konger who loves drinking tea.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse it with 普通, which means ordinary or average. 典型 implies a representative quality that defines a category, whereas 普通 simply means it is not special or stands out in no particular way.
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.
