pou4菩
Jyutpingpou4
Yalepòuh
Definition
Bodhisattva; kind-hearted and merciful.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Primarily used in the compound 菩薩 to refer to a Buddhist deity, or metaphorically to describe someone who is exceptionally compassionate and patient. When used to describe a person, it often implies they are being taken advantage of because they are too forgiving. It carries a slightly elevated or religious tone compared to everyday adjectives for kindness.
Measure word
zyun1尊jyūnExamples
They are truly a very kind-hearted person.
Related words
Common phrases
Bodhisattva heart; extremely kind and merciful
Common mistake
Do not use 菩 as a standalone word to mean kind; it must be part of the full term 菩薩. Using it alone will result in confusion as it is not a standard adjective in spoken Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
