nin4 siu3年少
Jyutpingnin4 siu3
Yalenìhn siu
Definition
Young; of a youthful age.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to the everyday term 後生. It is often used in contexts describing someone's youth as a reason for their lack of experience or their tendency to make mistakes. While 後生 is used in almost all casual situations, 年少 is preferred in written prose or when reflecting on the past.
Examples
He was young back then and acted quite impulsively.
You are so young, why do you want to retire so early?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 年少 to describe someone's physical age in casual conversation, as it can sound overly dramatic or like a line from a period drama. Use 後生 instead for daily talk.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
