jan4 cing4人情
Jyutpingjan4 cing4
Yaleyàhn chìhng
Definition
Human relationships, worldly affairs, or a favor done out of friendship.
- human relationships; worldly affairs; the ways of the world
- a favor; help given out of friendship or connection
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the social currency of favours and interpersonal obligations in Chinese culture. It often implies a debt that must be repaid to maintain social harmony. When someone is described as 唔識人情, it suggests they are socially inept or fail to navigate the unwritten rules of social reciprocity.
Examples
He helped me so much this time, I really need to return the favour.
In life, it is most important to understand the ways of the world.
Related words
Common phrases
worldly wisdom
the fickleness of human nature
to return a favour
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the English word sentiment or the Mandarin usage which can sometimes just mean feelings. In Cantonese, it almost always carries the weight of a social obligation or a favour that requires a reciprocal action.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
