niu5裊袅
Jyutpingniu5
Yaleníuh
Definition
Delicate, slender, or curling upwards.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is primarily used in literary or descriptive contexts to evoke a sense of graceful, swaying movement or the gentle rising of smoke. It is rarely used in casual daily speech and is almost exclusively encountered in written descriptions or poetic language. When describing a person, it is often paired with 娜 to form the compound 裊娜 to emphasize a slender and elegant posture.
Examples
Her figure is very graceful and slender when she dances.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 嫋, which is a variant character that is more commonly seen in classical texts. Do not use this word to describe physical strength or sturdiness, as it specifically denotes a soft, delicate, or winding quality.
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.
