ling4 fan1零分
Jyutpingling4 fan1
Yalelìhng fān
Definition
A score of zero; zero points.
colloquialschooldescriptions
How it's used
Beyond academic grading, this term is frequently used metaphorically to judge the quality of someone's performance, behavior, or ideas. Calling something 零分 is a harsh, blunt way to dismiss it as utterly worthless or failing to meet even the most basic standards.
Examples
He gets zero every time he takes an exam, it is really a headache.
Your plan is simply zero, it is completely unfeasible.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean 'zero' in a mathematical or physical sense, as it strictly refers to a score or a qualitative rating. For numerical values or quantities, use 零 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.
