sing1 sing1惺惺
Jyutpingsing1 sing1
Yalesīng sīng
Definition
Astute, intelligent, and clear-headed.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often carries a slightly cynical or skeptical undertone when used to describe someone who thinks they are smarter than others. It frequently appears in the idiom 惺惺作態, which describes someone putting on a fake, hypocritical show of being wise or virtuous. While it implies intelligence, it is rarely used to compliment genuine academic brilliance, focusing instead on street smarts or social perceptiveness.
Examples
He is very sharp; he can see through what you are thinking at a glance.
You think you are being clever, but actually everyone knows what you are doing.
Related words
Common phrases
to put on a hypocritical show
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of 惺惺, which is almost exclusively found in the set phrase 惺惺相惜, meaning two talented people appreciating each other. In Cantonese, the reduplicated form is used as a standalone adjective for being sharp or cunning.
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.
