zing3 hei3正氣正气
Jyutpingzing3 hei3
Yalejing hei
Definition
Righteousness; honest and upright character or style.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes a person who is morally upright, honest, and possesses a strong sense of integrity. It often implies a sense of dignity or a noble bearing that commands respect from others. While it can describe someone's personality, it is also frequently used to describe a style or atmosphere that feels clean, wholesome, and free from anything shady or corrupt.
Examples
He is a very upright person and would never deceive anyone.
You are such a righteous person, who would dare to bully you?
Related words
Common phrases
full of righteousness
awe-inspiring righteousness
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can refer to physical health or the absence of illness. In Cantonese, it is almost exclusively used for character, conduct, or moral atmosphere.
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.
