wu4 lin5瑚璉瑚琏
Jyutpingwu4 lin5
Yalewùh líhn
Definition
To describe someone of great talent and caliber who is fit for major responsibilities.
writtenpeoplework
How it's used
Originating from the Analects of Confucius, this term refers to a precious sacrificial vessel, metaphorically representing a person of great ability who is indispensable for important tasks. It carries a formal and highly complimentary tone, often used in professional or academic contexts to praise someone's leadership potential or reliability. You will rarely hear this in casual street conversation, as it is considered a literary idiom.
Examples
He is truly a person of great talent, and the company entrusts him with all major matters.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply smart or capable at routine tasks. It specifically implies a high level of integrity and the capacity to handle significant, high-stakes responsibilities.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
