wo4 oi2和藹和蔼
Jyutpingwo4 oi2
Yalewòh ói
Definition
Kind, affable, and approachable, especially of an older person.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Reserved almost exclusively for describing elderly people who possess a gentle and warm temperament. It implies a sense of maturity and calm that younger people are rarely described as having. Using it for someone young can sound slightly patronizing or unnatural.
Examples
He is usually very kind to people, and everyone likes him a lot.
Related words
Common phrases
kind and amiable
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply 'nice' or 'friendly' in a casual, peer-to-peer way. It carries a specific nuance of seniority and wisdom that makes it inappropriate for friends or colleagues of the same age.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
