siu3 jung4 ho2 guk1笑容可掬
Jyutpingsiu3 jung4 ho2 guk1
Yalesiu yùhng hó gūk
Definition
Smiling broadly; bearing a face full of smiles.
neutraldescriptionspeople
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that describes someone who looks genuinely warm, approachable, and friendly. While it is perfectly fine to use in speech, it carries a slightly literary or descriptive tone that makes it sound more sophisticated than simply saying 笑口常開 or 笑笑口. It is most often used to describe someone's general demeanor or a specific expression during a social interaction.
Examples
He is always beaming with smiles and is very easy to get along with.
Related words
Common phrases
in a smiling manner
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a verb phrase, but it is strictly an adjective used to describe a person's appearance or expression. You should not use it to describe the act of laughing or smiling itself, as it focuses on the state of having a pleasant, welcoming face.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
