jing1英
Jyutpingjing1
Yaleyīng
Definition
Outstanding, successful, or talented.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
While 英 is a common morpheme in formal compounds like 英俊 or 精英, using it as a standalone adjective to describe someone as cool or impressive is very colloquial. It often carries a slightly playful or sarcastic tone when used to praise someone for a specific achievement. It is distinct from the formal sense of heroic or brave, focusing more on being sharp or capable in a given moment.
Examples
He was already outstanding when he was young, and he was good at his studies too.
Who is so talented? They actually managed to handle this matter.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the English word 'English' or the character 英 used in names. Using it to describe a person as 'handsome' is usually restricted to the compound 英俊, as using 英 alone to mean 'handsome' is not standard.
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.
