je5 sing3野性
Jyutpingje5 sing3
Yaleyéh sing
Definition
Wild nature, unruliness, or a free-spirited and untamed disposition in humans or animals.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
野性 describes a raw, untamed quality that can apply to both animals and humans. When used for people, it often carries a positive connotation of being adventurous, free-spirited, or non-conformist rather than just being rude or chaotic. It is frequently used to describe someone who refuses to be constrained by social norms or traditional expectations.
Examples
He has a wild side and loves going on adventures everywhere.
This cat still has its wild instincts and isn't that easy to pet.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 粗野, which specifically refers to being crude, vulgar, or lacking manners. While 野性 implies a natural, untamed energy, 粗野 is almost exclusively negative and suggests a lack of basic social decency.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
