jim5冉
Jyutpingjim5
Yaleyíhm
Definition
Edge of a tortoiseshell; weak; also used as a surname.
- edge of a tortoiseshell
- weak; delicate
- a surname
neutralpeople
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively encountered as a surname in modern Cantonese. While it carries literary meanings related to weakness or the edges of a tortoiseshell in classical texts, these are effectively absent from daily spoken usage. Learners will primarily see it on official documents or when discussing family names.
Examples
The surname Ran is rarely seen in Hong Kong, usually they are from the mainland.
Related words
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.
