zeng1 gwaai1 ling4 lei6精乖伶俐
Jyutpingzeng1 gwaai1 ling4 lei6
Yalejēng gwāai lìhng leih
Definition
Clever, obedient, and sensible.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is almost exclusively used to describe children who are not only intelligent but also well-mannered and easy to manage. It carries a warm, affectionate tone often used by adults to praise a child in front of their parents. While it implies intelligence, the emphasis is heavily on the child's ability to behave appropriately and follow social cues.
Examples
The child is so clever and obedient, everyone likes him.
Your son is so clever and well-behaved, he will surely be successful in the future.
Related words
Common phrases
a clever and obedient child
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe adults, as it will sound patronizing or infantilizing. It is strictly reserved for children or occasionally pets that are exceptionally well-trained.
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.
