wai3慧
Jyutpingwai3
Yalewai
Definition
Wise; intelligent and quick-witted.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively used as a bound morpheme in compound words rather than as a standalone adjective. It carries a formal and literary tone, often appearing in names or descriptions of someone's natural intellect and quick thinking. You will rarely hear it in casual speech outside of specific set phrases like 聰慧.
Examples
He has been very wise since he was small.
This girl is so wise, she will definitely succeed.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not attempt to use this as a standalone adjective to describe a person, as it will sound unnatural or overly poetic. Stick to using it within established compound words.
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.
