hau2 ci2口齒口齿
Jyutpinghau2 ci2
Yaleháu chí
Definition
One's manner of speaking, eloquence, or trustworthiness in keeping promises.
- ability, skill, and clarity in speaking; eloquence; enunciation
- trustworthiness; keeping to one's word
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
Beyond just physical articulation, this term often carries a moral weight related to keeping one's word. When someone is described as having good 口齒, it implies they are both eloquent and reliable in their commitments. It is frequently used in the context of negotiations or social interactions where clarity and integrity are expected.
Examples
He is very articulate and knows how to make people happy.
Your speech is so unclear, how are people supposed to understand you?
Related words
Common phrases
articulate and eloquent
slurred or unclear speech
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general vocabulary or language proficiency. It specifically refers to the physical act of speaking clearly or the habit of honoring promises, rather than the breadth of one's knowledge or intelligence.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
