zang1 nei4僧尼
Jyutpingzang1 nei4
Yalejāng nèih
Definition
Buddhist monks and nuns.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Refers collectively to ordained members of the Buddhist clergy regardless of gender. While technically accurate, it sounds more formal or literary than the everyday terms 和尚 or 尼姑. Use it when discussing the group as a whole or in a more descriptive, objective context.
Examples
There are many monks and nuns practicing there.
Related words
Common phrases
monks and nuns practicing
Common mistake
Avoid using this to address an individual directly, as it sounds impersonal and detached. Use specific titles like 法師 instead to show proper respect.
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).
