藝術
ngai6 seot6
The English phrase "art" is translated into Cantonese as 藝術 (ngai6 seot6).
The term 藝術 refers both to the fine arts, such as painting and sculpture and to the abstract concept of "the art of [something]", such as the art of politics or the art of war. You can also use 神級 (god-level) to describe someone who possesses exceptional talent in an artistic field.
Which one should you use?
While 藝術 is the general term for art, 美術 specifically refers to the fine arts like painting and sculpture. In some parts of Guangdong, the term 藝術品 is used to specifically mean artworks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
藝術品 is used in some parts of Guangdong to refer to artworks.
How do you pronounce it?
ngai6 seot6
Did you know?
- The character 藝 originally referred to the planting of grains and the cultivation of crops before it evolved to mean 'skill' or 'art'.
- In Cantonese slang, instead of saying someone is an artist, you might call them a 藝術家 (artist) to sarcastically imply they are being 'extra' or overacting in a dramatic way.
- The character 術 in 藝術 also means 'technique' or 'method' and is the same character used in 技術 for 'technology'.
Examples in context
- 我對現代藝術冇乜興趣。Modern art doesn't interest me.This sentence shows how to express a lack of interest in modern art using 藝術.Tatoeba #5734901 by nickyeow, translation #1344025 by Chrikaru
- 政治生活，作為一個整體，係一條由無限多個連結組成嘅無窮無盡鏈。整個政治藝術就係要搵到同捉住我哋最唔可能從我哋手中被擊落嘅連結，即係喺特定時刻最重要嘅連結，最重要嘅係保證佢嘅擁有者擁有整個鏈嘅連結。Political life, as a whole, is an endless chain consisting of an infinite number of links. The whole art of politics lies in finding and taking as firm a grip as we can of the link that is least likely to be struck from our hands, the one that is most important at the given moment, the one that, most of all, guarantees its possessor the possession of the whole chain.This sentence uses 藝術 to describe the abstract concept of the art of politics.Tatoeba #13166741 by Davidgo5867, translation #13056963 by rul
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a museum visit.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan呢個藝術展好靚呀。ni1 go3 ng4 zat6 zeon2 hou2 leng3 aa3.This art exhibition is beautiful.
- 志強 Chi Keung係呀，佢哋啲藝術品好出色。hai6 aa3, keoi5 dei6 di1 ng4 zat6 ban2 hou2 ceot1 sik1.Yes, their artworks are very impressive.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你鍾唔鍾意藝術？nei5 zung1 m4 zung1 ji3 ng4 zat6?Do you like art?
- 志強 Chi Keung我好鍾意，我哋可以再去。ngo5 hou2 zung1 ji3, ngo5 dei6 ho2 ji5 zoi3 heoi3.I like it a lot, we can go again.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
