zing3 paai3正派
Jyutpingzing3 paai3
Yalejing paai
Definition
Upright, honest, and decent in personality; conforming to social and moral standards.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes someone who follows conventional moral standards and behaves in a reliable, respectable manner. It is often used to reassure others about someone's character, implying they are not involved in anything shady or untrustworthy. While it can apply to anyone, it is frequently used when assessing potential romantic partners or business associates.
Examples
He is a very upright person and would never deceive anyone.
You should pick a more decent guy when choosing a boyfriend.
Related words
Common phrases
to be an upright person
decent style of conduct
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes refer to the 'orthodox' school of thought in martial arts novels. In daily Cantonese, it is almost exclusively used to describe a person's moral character or behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
