jau1 ngaa5優雅优雅
Jyutpingjau1 ngaa5
Yaleyāu ngáh
Definition
Elegant and graceful; possessing a refined temperament that sets one apart.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Describes a refined quality that goes beyond simple beauty, often implying a sense of poise or high social standing. It is frequently used to describe manners, movements, or personal style rather than just physical appearance. While it is a standard term, it carries a slightly formal tone compared to everyday adjectives.
Examples
Her movements are very graceful when she dances.
Do you think this lady is elegant?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 優美, but 優美 is more commonly used for scenery, music, or artistic lines, whereas 優雅 is almost exclusively reserved for human behavior, personal style, or atmosphere.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.



