sou3 ngaan4素顏素颜
Jyutpingsou3 ngaan4
Yalesou ngàahn
Definition
A natural face without makeup.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the state of having no cosmetics applied to the face. While it originates from written Chinese, it is now commonly used in casual speech to compliment someone's natural appearance. It often carries a positive connotation, implying that the person does not need makeup to look attractive.
Examples
She usually goes to work without any makeup on.
You actually look prettier without makeup than with it.
Related words
Common phrases
to show one's face in public without makeup
Common mistake
Avoid using this as a verb; it is strictly a noun describing a state. Do not say someone is素顏ing, as it is not an action.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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.
