gwing2炯
Jyutpinggwing2
Yalegwíng
Definition
Bright; shining; hot.
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How it's used
Primarily used in the reduplicated form 炯炯 to describe eyes that are piercing, bright, or full of life. Outside of this specific idiom, it is rarely used in modern daily speech to describe light intensity, where words like 閃 or 刺眼 are preferred. It carries a literary or formal nuance when used in isolation.
Examples
The lamp is so bright, it's making my eyes blurry.
Their eyes are bright and spirited, they look very sharp.
Related words
Common phrases
bright and piercing eyes
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 炯 in the context of heat, as it is almost exclusively reserved for visual brightness or the appearance of eyes in contemporary Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
