jyu4瑜
Jyutpingjyu4
Yaleyùh
Definition
Fine jade, its luster, or figuratively, one's virtues and merits.
- fine jade
- the luster or splendor of jade
- figurativevirtues, merits, or advantages
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Appears almost exclusively in the idiom 瑕不掩瑜, which describes a situation where minor faults do not detract from overall excellence. It is a literary morpheme that is rarely used as a standalone noun in modern spoken Cantonese. When used, it carries a formal or scholarly tone, often appearing in written critiques or formal assessments.
Examples
He is someone whose merits outweigh his flaws.
Although this work has some flaws, its merits outweigh them.
Related words
Common phrases
merits outweigh flaws
Common mistake
Learners often mistake it for a common noun for jade, but it is a literary term for the quality or luster of jade rather than the physical stone itself. Do not use it to refer to a piece of jewelry; use 玉 instead.
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.
