mai4 nei5迷你
Jyutpingmai4 nei5
Yalemàih néih
Definition
Mini or tiny; a phonetic loan from the English word "mini".
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Adopted directly from English, this term is used to describe objects that are intentionally designed to be smaller than their standard counterparts. It carries a sense of cuteness or convenience, often implying that the item is a scaled-down version of something larger. It is frequently used in marketing to make products sound more appealing or portable.
Examples
This camera is very mini and convenient to carry out.
Have you bought the mini cake home yet?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe people or animals, as it sounds unnatural and potentially rude. It is strictly reserved for inanimate objects or food items.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
