mei5 dak1美德
Jyutpingmei5 dak1
Yaleméih dāk
Definition
Virtue; commendable moral character and behavior worthy of respect or emulation.
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How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe high moral standards. While it is perfectly understandable in spoken Cantonese, it sounds quite academic or philosophical compared to everyday descriptions of character like 好人 or 乖. It is most frequently encountered in educational settings, moral discussions, or when praising someone's conduct in a serious tone.
Measure word
zung3種jungExamples
Honesty is a very important virtue.
Do you think humility counts as a virtue?
Related words
Common phrases
traditional virtues
to promote or uphold virtues
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this word to describe simple good habits or polite behaviors. It is reserved for deeper, more significant moral qualities like integrity or diligence, rather than just being nice or having good manners.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
