leon4嶙
Jyutpingleon4
Yalelèuhn
Definition
Mountainous and rugged, or bony and emaciated.
- rugged and steep; ranges of hills
- bony; thin; emaciated
colloquialdescriptionsbody
How it's used
Used primarily in the reduplicated form 嶙嶙 or the compound 嶙峋 to describe either extreme thinness in people or jagged, uneven terrain. It carries a strong visual connotation of sharp, bony protrusions or rocky, irregular surfaces. When referring to people, it implies an unhealthy or gaunt appearance rather than just being naturally slim.
Examples
He is so skinny, it looks like he hasn't eaten in ages.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 粼粼, which describes the sparkling reflection of light on water. While they share a similar phonetic component, they are used in completely different contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
