zing1 san4精神
Jyutpingzing1 san4
Yalejīng sàhn
Definition
Spirit, mind, or consciousness.
colloquialhealthdescriptions
How it's used
Beyond the abstract meaning of spirit or consciousness, this word is frequently used as an adjective to describe someone who looks alert, lively, or well-rested. It is common to hear people say someone looks 精神 when they have a healthy glow or high energy levels. It functions as a direct contrast to being tired or sluggish.
Examples
He is very energetic at work, doesn't look like he didn't sleep at all.
You look so energetic today, is there something happy going on?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the English word spirit in a supernatural sense, but in Cantonese, it primarily refers to mental alertness or physical vitality. Do not use it to describe ghosts or supernatural entities.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
