靚女
leng3 neoi2
The Cantonese phrase for "beautiful girl" is 靚女 (leng3 neoi2).
靚女 describes a female person who is physically attractive. While it can be used as a descriptive noun phrase, it is frequently used as a direct vocative to call for someone's attention, much like how one might use "miss" or "lady" in English. In casual settings like street markets or service environments, it is often used to address young or attractive women.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 靚 (leng3), meaning "beautiful" and the noun 女 (neoi2), meaning "female" or "girl".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
靚女 is a colloquial term. When using it to address a stranger, it can be seen as overly familiar or even slightly flirtatious depending on your tone.
How do you pronounce it?
leng3 neoi2
Did you know?
- While 靚女 describes a woman, the equivalent term for a handsome man, 靚仔, is equally common as a casual way to call a waiter or shopkeeper.
- In Cantonese, the word 靚 can also be used to describe food that looks appetizing, effectively meaning 'beautiful' or 'good-looking' in a culinary sense.
- In some contexts, calling a woman 靚女 can be a subtle way to signal a desire for a discount or a 'friendship price' during a negotiation.
Examples in context
- 嘩！今日你真係好靚女啊！Wow! You look really beautiful today!
- 嗰個靚女好高。go2 go3 leng3 neoi5 hou2 gou1.That beautiful girl is very tall.
- 佢係一個靚女。keoi5 hai6 jat1 go3 leng3 neoi5.She is a beautiful girl.
- 我想識嗰個靚女。ngo5 soeng2 sik1 go2 go3 leng3 neoi5.I want to meet that beautiful girl.
Example conversation
A young man and woman are talking about a stranger in a cafe.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan俊傑，你睇嗰個靚女。zeon3 kit3, nei5 tai2 go2 go3 leng3 neoi5.Junkit, look at that beautiful girl.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit佢真係好靚。keoi5 zan1 hai6 hou2 leng3.She really is beautiful.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan係呀，佢好似明星咁。hai6 aa3, keoi5 hou2 ci5 ming4 sing1 gam2.Yes, she looks like a celebrity.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit嘉欣，你都好靚。kaai1 jan1, nei5 dou1 hou2 leng3.Ka Yan, you are beautiful too.
