jan4 hei3人氣人气
Jyutpingjan4 hei3
Yaleyàhn hei
Definition
The presence or activity of people, or popularity and fame.
- the presence, sign, or breath of people in a place
- popularity; fame; public favor
colloquialplacespeople
How it's used
Beyond its literal sense of human presence, this term is frequently used to describe a place that feels lived-in or lively. It captures the warmth and energy that people bring to a space, contrasting with a sterile or empty environment. While it can also mean popularity in modern media contexts, its most common use in daily life is to describe whether a home or venue feels occupied and welcoming.
Examples
This shop has no atmosphere, it is so deserted.
After moving in, the house finally feels like someone lives there.
Related words
Common phrases
lacking human presence or atmosphere
to gather a crowd or create a lively atmosphere
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Japanese-influenced usage meaning popularity, which is common in entertainment news. In everyday spoken Cantonese, using it to describe a celebrity's fame can sound like a direct translation from Japanese or Mandarin rather than natural local speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
