man4 maang4文盲
Definition
An illiterate person; someone who cannot read or write.
How it's used
While technically referring to someone who cannot read or write, this term is frequently used as a harsh insult in arguments to imply someone is ignorant or lacks basic common sense. It carries a strong negative connotation and is rarely used in a neutral or clinical sense in casual conversation. When describing someone who is truly unable to read due to lack of education, people often prefer more descriptive or sensitive phrasing to avoid the offensive weight of this word.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe someone who is simply unfamiliar with a specific topic, such as computer literacy or financial knowledge. Using it in those contexts can sound overly aggressive or derogatory rather than descriptive.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
