sing2 paa4醒爬
Jyutpingsing2 paa4
Yalesíng pàh
Definition
Smart, clever, and quick-witted; or used to warn someone to be sharp and alert.
- smart, clever, and quick on the uptake
- sharp, alert, and cautious
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on a blend of street smarts and situational awareness rather than just academic intelligence. It often carries an imperative tone when used to tell someone to stay alert or avoid being taken advantage of. The term implies a level of worldliness and the ability to read between the lines in social or professional settings.
Examples
He is very quick-witted, he saw through everything at a glance.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 醒目, which is a more neutral or positive term for being clever or smart. 醒爬 specifically emphasizes being alert to danger or potential traps, making it sound more like a warning or a survival skill.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
