ngaan5 jing2眼影
Jyutpingngaan5 jing2
Yalengáahn yíng
Definition
Eye shadow; makeup applied to the skin around the eyes to make them appear larger and more prominent.
colloquialclothing
How it's used
Refers specifically to the cosmetic product applied to the eyelids to enhance or contour the eyes. While it is a loan translation from English, it is the standard term used in all beauty contexts in Hong Kong. It is often paired with verbs like 搽 or 畫 to describe the act of application.
Measure word
hap6盒haphExamples
You put on eyeshadow today, you look much more energetic.
The color of this eyeshadow palette is so pretty, where did you buy it?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 眼線, which refers specifically to eyeliner. Remember that 眼影 covers a broader area of the eyelid for shading, whereas 眼線 is a thin line drawn along the lash line.
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.
