nin4 siu3 lou5 sing4年少老成

Jyutpingnin4 siu3 lou5 sing4

Yalenìhn siu lóuh sìhng

Definition

Physically young but mentally mature; having a mature head on young shoulders.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Describes a child or young person who acts with the wisdom, caution, or seriousness typically associated with an adult. It carries a slightly formal, literary tone despite being used in daily speech to praise or comment on someone's temperament. It is often used to contrast a person's actual age with their surprisingly composed behavior.

Examples

keoi5佢sai3細sai3細go3個zau6就nin4年siu3少lou5老sing4成，hou2好sik1識nam2諗。

He was mentally mature from a young age and very sensible.

nei5你m4唔hou2好tai2睇keoi5佢nin4年siu3少lou5老sing4成，kei4其sat6實keoi5佢dou1都hou2好wun6玩dak1得。

Don't be fooled by his mature demeanor, he's actually quite playful.

Common phrases

sing3性gaak3格nin4年siu3少lou5老sing4成

having a mature personality for one's age

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply well-behaved or obedient, as the term specifically emphasizes a level of mental maturity and worldly wisdom that exceeds their years.