hok6 laap6 gai1 kwan4鶴立雞群鹤立鸡群
Jyutpinghok6 laap6 gai1 kwan4
Yalehohk laahp gāi kwàhn
Definition
To stand out from the crowd; to be outstanding or highly distinguished among others.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of visual contrast, implying that the person is not just better, but visibly different from the average crowd. It is often used to describe someone who possesses a unique talent or appearance that makes them impossible to ignore. While it can be a compliment, it is sometimes used to highlight how someone feels isolated or alienated because they do not fit in with the ordinary group.
Examples
He stands out from that group; you can spot him at a glance.
Do you think he is the most outstanding person in this company?
Related words
Common phrases
to appear to stand head and shoulders above others
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe someone who is simply popular or well liked, but it specifically emphasizes being superior or distinct in ability or quality compared to a mediocre group.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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).
