gei1 ling4機靈机灵
Jyutpinggei1 ling4
Yalegēi lìhng
Definition
Clever, smart, and quick-witted.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
While often translated as clever, this word specifically highlights a quick-witted, alert, and resourceful nature. It implies an ability to react swiftly to changing circumstances or to grasp complex situations instantly. It carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to the ubiquitous local term 醒目.
Examples
He was very sharp from a young age and learned everything very quickly.
You are so clever, you must be able to think of a way to solve it, right?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 聰明, which is a broader term for general intelligence or academic ability. 機靈 focuses more on street smarts, agility, and the capacity to handle unexpected problems on the fly.
Grammar color guide
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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).
