tung4 zan1童真
Jyutpingtung4 zan1
Yaletùhng jān
Definition
Childlike innocence, simplicity, or purity.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Refers to a pure, uncorrupted quality that is often associated with the honesty and lack of cynicism found in children. It is frequently used to praise adults who remain optimistic or playful despite the pressures of adult life. Unlike the word 天真 which can sometimes imply naivety or being easily fooled, 童真 is almost always a positive, endearing trait.
Examples
Even though he has grown up, he still maintains a sense of childlike innocence.
Do you still have that childlike innocence?
Related words
Common phrases
to maintain childlike innocence
full of childlike innocence
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply gullible or lacks common sense, as that would be better expressed as 天真 or 傻. Using it in a professional or serious context to describe an adult might imply they are immature or lack worldly experience.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
