siu2 cung1 ming4小聰明小聪明
Jyutpingsiu2 cung1 ming4
Yalesíu chūng mìhng
Definition
Petty cleverness; superficial intelligence focused on short-term gains rather than long-term success.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a strong negative connotation, implying that the person lacks long-term vision or integrity. It is often used to criticize someone who tries to cut corners or manipulate situations rather than working hard or being honest. Unlike intelligence, which is praised, this implies a lack of wisdom or depth.
Examples
He always uses petty tricks to fool people; he will be exposed very soon.
Related words
Common phrases
possess only petty cleverness
to play petty tricks
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is genuinely smart or quick-witted, as that would be a serious insult. It is strictly for someone who is cunning in a shallow or dishonest way.
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.
