lou5 jan4 zing1老人精
Jyutpinglou5 jan4 zing1
Yalelóuh yàhn jīng
Definition
An old soul; a child who is precocious, overly sophisticated, or acts and talks like an adult.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes a child who displays a level of maturity, cynicism, or obsession with practical matters like money that feels unnatural for their age. It carries a slightly teasing tone, implying the child has skipped the innocence of youth to adopt the weary habits of an adult. It is rarely used as a compliment and often suggests the child is being overly calculating or manipulative.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This kid is so good at calculating things, he's such a little old man.
Stop acting like a grown-up, go back to playing with your toys.
Related words
Common phrases
to act like a little old man
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe an elderly person who is wise or experienced, as it is strictly reserved for children who act older than they are. Using it for an adult would be confusing or nonsensical rather than a compliment about their wisdom.
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.
