jan4 zing1人精

Jyutpingjan4 zing1

Yaleyàhn jīng

名詞

Definition

An exceptionally smart, clever, or calculating person.

an exceptionally smart or clever child
a highly astute, shrewd, or calculating person

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Describes a child who displays an intelligence or social awareness far beyond their years. While it can be a compliment for a bright child, it often carries a subtle hint of wariness, implying the person is a bit too calculating or street-smart for their own good. It is rarely used to describe adults in a positive way, as it often suggests someone who is manipulative or overly cunning.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ni1呢go3個sai3細lou6路zai2仔gam3咁sing2醒，zan1真hai6係jan4人zing1精lai2嚟㗎。

This kid is so sharp, he's a real smarty-pants.

nei5你gam3咁sai3細go3個zau6就sik1識gong2講ni1呢di1啲，zan1真hai6係jan4人zing1精aa4呀。

You're so young yet you know how to say things like that, you're really a clever little one.

Common phrases

sai3細lou6路zai2仔jan4人zing1精

a smart-aleck kid

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being smart or intelligent, as those are better expressed by 醒目. Using it to describe an adult can sound like you are calling them a schemer or a sly person rather than just intelligent.