ming4 lit6 cin4 maau4名列前茅
Jyutpingming4 lit6 cin4 maau4
Yalemìhng liht chìhn màauh
Definition
To be ranked at the very top of a list, or even to come first.
neutralschoolwork
How it's used
This idiom is primarily used in formal or academic contexts to describe high rankings in competitions or school performance. While it is widely understood, it sounds slightly more literary than everyday casual speech, so it is often reserved for praising someone's achievements in a serious tone.
Examples
He is always at the top of the class in exams, so impressive.
How can you manage to get your grades to the top of the list?
Related words
Common phrases
academic results are among the top
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe being physically at the front of a line or queue, but it exclusively refers to abstract rankings or competitive standings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
