min6 sin6面善
Jyutpingmin6 sin6
Yalemihn sihn
Definition
Familiar-looking, as if one has met or seen the person before.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the visual impression of someone appearing known, even if you cannot pinpoint exactly where or when you have encountered them. It carries a neutral to positive connotation, often used as a polite icebreaker when trying to recall a connection. Unlike describing someone as a friend, it highlights the feeling of recognition rather than an established relationship.
Examples
You look familiar, have we met before?
He looks like a familiar face, he probably isn't a bad person.
Related words
Common phrases
very familiar-looking
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 熟人, which refers to someone you actually know well. Using 面善 implies you are unsure of the relationship, whereas 熟人 implies a confirmed acquaintance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
