nang4 gon3能幹能干
Jyutpingnang4 gon3
Yalenàhng gon
Definition
Competent; smart; capable; possessing outstanding ability to get things done.
neutralpeoplework
How it's used
While 能幹 describes someone who is efficient and skilled at getting things done, it often carries a slightly formal or appreciative tone. It is commonly used to praise someone's professional performance or their ability to handle complex tasks independently. In casual speech, people might more frequently use 叻 or 勁 to convey the same sense of being smart or capable.
Examples
He is very capable at work, the boss likes him a lot.
Related words
Common phrases
capable at handling affairs
to be a capable person
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with the Mandarin usage, which can sound slightly more formal or literary than the everyday Cantonese equivalents like 叻 or 醒目. It is not typically used to describe someone who is just 'smart' in an academic sense, but specifically someone who is effective in action.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
