sei3 ping4 baat3 zing3四平八正
Jyutpingsei3 ping4 baat3 zing3
Yalesei pìhng baat jing
Definition
Proper, neat, and tidy.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Describes something that is balanced, symmetrical, and visually pleasing. It is often used to describe handwriting, furniture arrangement, or even a person's posture and character. The phrase implies a sense of stability and correctness that is aesthetically satisfying.
Examples
This table is placed perfectly straight, it looks very comfortable.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin idiom 四平八穩, which focuses more on being steady and lacking risk. While they share similar roots, 四平八正 is more specifically about physical order and neatness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
