sou3素

Jyutpingsou3

Yalesou

語素Uncommon

Definition

Simple, plain, or minimalist; lacking excessive decoration or additions.

neutraldescriptions

How it's used

Primarily functions as a bound morpheme in Cantonese rather than a standalone adjective. It carries a sense of minimalism or lack of ornamentation, often appearing in compounds like 素色 or 素淨. While it can refer to vegetarian food, in a design or fashion context, it specifically denotes a lack of patterns or bright colours.

Examples

keoi5佢ping4平si4時zung1鍾ji3意zoek3著sou3素sik1色saam1衫。

She usually likes to wear clothes in simple, plain colours.

ni1呢go3個cit3設gai3計hou2好sou3素，m4唔gau3夠coeng2搶ngaan5眼。

This design is very simple and not eye-catching enough.

Common phrases

sou3素sik1色

plain colour

sou3素zing6淨

simple and neat

Common mistake

Learners often confuse it with 簡單, but 素 focuses specifically on the visual or aesthetic quality of being plain or unadorned, whereas 簡單 is a broader term for simplicity in complexity or difficulty.