mei5 taam4美談美谈
Jyutpingmei5 taam4
Yaleméih tàahm
Definition
An anecdote or commendable story that is widely praised and spoken of.
writtenpeopleother
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in the set phrase 傳為美談, which describes an act so virtuous or heartwarming that it spreads through word of mouth. It carries a formal or literary tone, often appearing in news reports or formal storytelling rather than casual daily chatter. Using it to describe mundane good deeds can sound overly dramatic or ironic.
Examples
They donated money to help others, which is being praised as a commendable deed.
How did this incident become known as a commendable deed?
Related words
Common phrases
to be told as a commendable story
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general word for 'good news' or 'compliment', but it specifically refers to a story or event that is worth retelling because of its moral quality.
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.
