jing1 lit6英烈
Jyutpingjing1 lit6
Yaleyīng lith
Definition
Heroic and valiant, or a heroic martyr who died for a noble cause.
- heroic; brave; valiant
- a heroic martyr
writtenpeopleother
How it's used
Reserved for formal contexts or historical narratives, this term carries a heavy, solemn weight. It is rarely used in casual daily conversation unless discussing history, war, or public monuments. It implies a sense of sacrifice that goes beyond mere bravery.
Examples
keoi5 dei6 hai6 jing1 lit6 zik6 dak1 ngo5 dei6 zyun1 ging3
佢哋係英烈，值得我哋尊敬。
They are heroic martyrs, they deserve our respect.
nei4 wai6 jing1 lit6 dong1 nin4 dim2 joeng2 hei1 sang1 gaa4
呢位英烈當年點樣犧牲㗎？
How did this heroic martyr sacrifice himself back then?
Related words
Common phrases
jing1 lit6 ci4
英烈祠
shrine for martyrs
jing1 lit6 si6 zik1
英烈事蹟
heroic deeds of martyrs
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply brave in a daily life situation, such as a friend who stood up to a bully. Using it for trivial matters sounds overly dramatic or sarcastic.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
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.
