si1 man4斯文
Jyutpingsi1 man4
Yalesī màhn
Definition
Refined, polite, and elegant in appearance, behavior, or manners.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
Beyond describing a person's gentle demeanor, this word is frequently used to comment on clothing choices that appear formal or professional. It carries a positive connotation of being well-mannered, quiet, and composed. When describing someone who is overly quiet or shy, it can sometimes imply a lack of assertiveness.
Examples
He usually speaks very gently and won't shout loudly.
Related words
Common phrases
a wolf in sheep's clothing
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes imply being weak or effeminate. In Cantonese, it is almost exclusively a compliment regarding one's polite behavior or neat appearance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
