zik3瘠
Jyutpingzik3
Yalejik
Definition
Barren, thin, or infertile.
neutralnaturebody
How it's used
Primarily used to describe land that is infertile or soil that lacks nutrients. When applied to people, it carries a slightly literary or descriptive tone, emphasizing a sickly or unhealthily thin appearance rather than just being slim.
Examples
This piece of land is very barren, nothing grows here.
He is so thin and gaunt, he looks like he hasn't eaten in a long time.
Related words
Common phrases
barren land
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 瘦, which is the standard, neutral word for thin. Using 瘠 to describe a person can sound quite harsh or clinical, as it implies a lack of vitality.
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.
