zim1臢臜
Jyutpingzim1
Yalejīm
Definition
Dirty, nauseating, or awkward.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Used primarily to describe physical filth or behavior that is morally or socially repulsive. It carries a strong sense of disgust that goes beyond simple untidiness. When applied to people or their actions, it implies a lack of refinement or a sleazy quality that makes others uncomfortable.
Examples
This place is so dirty, let's leave quickly.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 污糟, which is the standard, neutral word for dirty. 臢 is much more expressive and carries a stronger negative judgment, so it should be reserved for situations where you want to emphasize how repulsive something is.
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.
