on1 coeng4安詳安详
Jyutpingon1 coeng4
Yaleōn chèuhng
Definition
Serene, composed, and peaceful in manner or expression.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Primarily reserved for describing the state of someone who has passed away or is nearing the end of their life. It carries a sense of dignity and lack of suffering, distinguishing it from general calmness or relaxation. Using it to describe a living person in a normal state is unusual and might sound overly formal or even slightly ominous.
Examples
Seeing them so peaceful, I feel completely relieved.
Related words
Common phrases
to pass away peacefully
a serene facial expression
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply calm or relaxed, as that would sound like you are referring to their death. For a living person who is calm or composed, use 平靜 or 鎮定 instead.
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.
