zat1 sou3質素质素
Jyutpingzat1 sou3
Yalejāt sou
Definition
Quality; the grade, standard, or level of excellence of something.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Focuses primarily on the standard or level of something, often used to evaluate services, products, or living conditions. Unlike the more general term 質地 which refers to the physical texture or material of an object, 質素 is an abstract assessment of how good or bad something is. It is frequently paired with adjectives like 高 or 低 to describe the level of excellence.
Examples
The food quality at this restaurant is very poor.
How do you find the quality of life here?
Related words
Common phrases
quality of life
quality of teaching
improve quality
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 質地, which is used for the physical material or texture of an item like fabric or paper. Using 質素 to describe the feel of a piece of cloth will sound unnatural to native speakers.
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.
