lim4 ci2廉恥廉耻
Jyutpinglim4 ci2
Yalelìhm chí
Definition
Integrity and a sense of honor, shame, or modesty.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often used in the phrase 冇廉恥 to describe someone who behaves in a shameless or morally bankrupt way. It carries a heavy moral weight and is typically reserved for criticizing serious ethical failures rather than minor social blunders. It is a formal concept that is frequently invoked in moral education or when expressing strong indignation at someone's conduct.
Examples
He did such terrible things, he really has no sense of shame.
The most important thing in life is to have a sense of shame and not sell your conscience for money.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 羞恥, which refers to the feeling of shame itself. 廉恥 is a noun representing the internal moral compass or the virtue of having a sense of shame, whereas 羞恥 is the emotional state triggered by a shameful act.
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.
