ngai2 sai3矮細矮细
Jyutpingngai2 sai3
Yalengái sai
Definition
Small and short; petite.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on a person's physical stature, combining both lack of height and a generally small frame. It carries a slightly more descriptive or affectionate tone compared to simply saying 矮, which can sound blunt or critical. It is frequently used to describe children or people with a petite build.
Examples
He is very short and small, looking just like a primary school student.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe inanimate objects that are just short in length, as it is primarily reserved for human body types. For objects, use 短 or 細粒 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
