sik1 zeng1識精识精
Jyutpingsik1 zeng1
Yalesīk jēng
Definition
Shrewd, astute, or knowing how to look out for one's own interests.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes someone who possesses a sharp eye for detail and knows how to navigate situations to their own advantage. It implies a level of street smarts or business acumen that allows a person to identify the most important aspects of a situation quickly. It is often used as a compliment for someone who is quick-witted and difficult to deceive.
Examples
He is very shrewd; he knows who the boss is at a glance.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 醒目, which is a more general term for being clever or alert. 識精 specifically highlights the ability to identify the core value or the 'trick' of a situation, whereas 醒目 focuses on being quick to react or having common sense.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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.
