hou6 jin4浩然
Jyutpinghou6 jin4
Yalehouh yìhn
Definition
Vast, overwhelming, or grand, especially in spirit or scale.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in the set phrase 浩然之氣 or 浩然正氣 to describe a person's upright, noble, and fearless moral character. It carries a strong literary and classical tone, often evoking the spirit of Confucian scholars or heroes. You will rarely hear it used in casual, everyday conversation to describe physical size or vastness.
Examples
He is a person with a very noble and righteous spirit.
This kind of noble and righteous spirit is truly rare.
Related words
Common phrases
noble and righteous spirit
upright and noble spirit
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common adjective for size, but it is strictly reserved for abstract moral qualities. Do not use it to describe a large room or a vast landscape, as it would sound completely unnatural.
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.
