nin4 maai6年邁年迈
Jyutpingnin4 maai6
Yalenìhn maaih
Definition
Old; aged; advanced in years.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term carries a formal and respectful tone, often used in writing or when speaking about someone with reverence. It is rarely used in casual conversation to describe friends or family members, where terms like 老人家 or 上咗年紀 are much more common. Using it to describe someone you know well can sound overly dramatic or literary.
Examples
Although he is aged, his body is still very healthy.
Remember to give up your seat when you see an elderly person.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this as a direct synonym for old in any context, but it is specifically reserved for people. Applying it to objects or animals will sound unnatural and confusing to native speakers.
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.
