jan4 gaak3人格
Jyutpingjan4 gaak3
Yaleyàhn gaak
Definition
Personality, character, or moral quality.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses heavily on moral integrity and ethical standards rather than just individual quirks or temperament. While it covers personality traits, it is most frequently invoked when discussing someone's reputation or their adherence to a personal code of conduct. Using it to describe simple personality preferences like being introverted or extroverted can sound overly formal or even slightly judgmental.
Examples
His character is so bad, who would trust him?
The most important thing in life is to have integrity; don't sell yourself out for money.
Related words
Common phrases
noble character
split personality
moral bankruptcy
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with 性格, which refers to general personality traits or temperament. 人格 carries a much stronger moral weight and implies a sense of dignity or ethical standing that 性格 does not.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
