ming4 gwai3名貴名贵
Jyutpingming4 gwai3
Yalemìhng gwai
Definition
Valuable, precious, and highly expensive, typically used to describe luxury goods.
neutraldescriptionsmoney
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the high monetary value and status of an object, rather than just its sentimental worth. It carries a sense of sophistication and exclusivity, making it appropriate for luxury items like jewelry, fine art, or high-end vehicles. Avoid using it to describe everyday items, even if they are expensive, as it implies a level of prestige or rarity.
Examples
He has many precious antiques displayed at home.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 貴, which is a general term for expensive. While 貴 can describe a bowl of noodles that is overpriced, 名貴 is reserved for items that are inherently luxurious or high-class.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
