si1 si1 man4 man4斯斯文文
Jyutpingsi1 si1 man4 man4
Yalesī sī màhn màhn
Definition
Refined, polite, gentle, and cultured in manner.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
This reduplicated adjective is used to describe someone who behaves in a gentle, quiet, or well-mannered way. It often carries a slightly positive nuance, implying that the person is not rowdy or aggressive. It is frequently used to describe children or people in formal social settings.
Examples
He usually speaks in a refined manner.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply shy or quiet, as the term specifically emphasizes manners and refinement rather than just a lack of volume.
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.
