san1 gaa1 cing1 baak6身家清白
Jyutpingsan1 gaa1 cing1 baak6
Yalesān gā chīng baahk
Definition
To have a clean record and good character; to have no criminal record or history of misconduct.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the integrity of a person's background, often used in contexts like job applications, marriage, or legal vetting. While the literal meaning touches on fortune, it is almost exclusively used to describe a lack of criminal history or moral impropriety. It carries a sense of being trustworthy and untainted by past scandals.
Examples
He has a clean record, no need to worry.
When you look for a job, do you need to prove you have a clean record?
Related words
Common phrases
to prove one has a clean record
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply wealthy or has a clean house. It specifically refers to a person's moral or legal history, not their financial status or hygiene.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
