hing1卿
Jyutpinghing1
Yalehīng
Definition
An ancient high-ranking government official post, still used in the official titles of some countries.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Outside of specific government titles like 國務卿, this term is almost exclusively found in historical dramas or period literature. It carries a formal, archaic weight that makes it sound jarring if used in modern, casual conversation to refer to a person. It is strictly a title for high-ranking officials and never used as a general term for a boss or manager.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
The US Secretary of State is coming to Hong Kong today.
Related words
Common phrases
Secretary of State
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common noun or a term of endearment, but it is highly specialized and restricted to political contexts. Do not use it to address people in daily life, as it will sound like you are roleplaying a character from a costume drama.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
