nin4 zoeng2年長年长
Jyutpingnin4 zoeng2
Yalenìhn jéung
Definition
Older in age; senior; elderly.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to someone being advanced in age, often carrying a sense of respect or formality. While it describes age, it is less common in casual speech than simply saying 大個 or 歲數大. It is frequently used in formal contexts or when discussing generational differences.
Examples
There is an older elder in their family taking care of things.
Do you think older people are more stubborn?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe inanimate objects or abstract concepts, as it is strictly reserved for human age. It is not interchangeable with 老, which can be used for objects or to describe someone in a more blunt or informal way.
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.
