ngaang6硬
Jyutpingngaang6
Yalengaahng
Definition
Hard, tough, solid, or stiff; not easily deformed or bent.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Beyond describing physical texture, this word often implies a lack of flexibility or stubbornness in personality. When used to describe a person, it suggests they are unyielding or difficult to negotiate with. It is also frequently used in the phrase 頂硬上 to describe pushing through a difficult situation despite the lack of resources or support.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 實, which often describes something being packed tightly or dense. While they overlap, 硬 specifically focuses on the resistance to deformation or bending, whereas 實 can also refer to being full or solid in a way that leaves no gaps.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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).
