hyun2 jyu4犬儒
Jyutpinghyun2 jyu4
Yalehyún yùh
Definition
Cynical; feeling disappointed with reality and thus taking a passive, non-resistant attitude.
neutralemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to a sense of weary disillusionment where one stops believing in the possibility of positive change. It carries a nuance of passive resignation rather than active hostility. While it originates from philosophical discourse, it is frequently applied in contemporary Hong Kong to describe a collective mood of political or social apathy.
Examples
He is very cynical about society and doesn't care about anything.
Why have you become so cynical?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid confusing this with the literal meaning of a dog, as the term is a loan translation of the Greek philosophical school and does not relate to actual animals in modern usage.
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.
