hou2 cing1好清
Jyutpinghou2 cing1
Yalehóu chīng
Definition
Very clear or pure.
colloquialdescriptionsfood
How it's used
Beyond describing physical transparency, this term often describes a light, non-greasy taste in food or a minimalist, understated aesthetic in fashion and makeup. It carries a positive connotation of being refined, pure, or free from clutter. When applied to a person's appearance, it implies a fresh-faced or natural look rather than something heavy or gaudy.
Examples
This tea is very clear, it tastes very refreshing.
Related words
Common phrases
very light and mild in taste
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe clear instructions or logic, as it does not carry the meaning of 'easy to understand' like the word 清楚 does. Using it for clarity of thought will sound unnatural to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
