jin4 gaan2 ji3 goi1言簡意賅言简意赅
Jyutpingjin4 gaan2 ji3 goi1
Yaleyìhn gáan yi gōi
Definition
Concise and comprehensive; conveying a deep meaning in few words.
neutralcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is primarily used in formal or academic contexts to praise someone's ability to express complex ideas with minimal words. While it is a four character idiom, it is perfectly acceptable in spoken Cantonese when the speaker wants to sound slightly more sophisticated or precise. It carries a positive connotation of efficiency and clarity in communication.
Examples
He speaks very concisely, and it is easy to understand.
This report is written in a very concise and comprehensive way.
Related words
Common phrases
written concisely
spoken concisely
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a casual way to say someone is short-spoken, but it specifically implies that the brevity is effective and meaningful rather than just being quiet or blunt.
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.
