型
jing3
In Cantonese, the word for cool is 型 (jing3).
型 is a slang term used specifically to describe someone or something that is stylish, fashionable, impressive or has a 'cool' look. It does not refer to physical temperature.
Meaning: having a slightly low temperature (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The character 型 literally means 'model', 'pattern' or 'shape'. This connection to form and pattern is why it is used to describe someone who has a 'cool' or 'stylish' look.
Which one should you use?
Do not use 型 to describe a slightly low temperature. To express that something is cool in terms of temperature, you should use words such as 涼 (loeng4) and use 凍 (dung3) if you mean cold.
How do you pronounce it?
jing3
Did you know?
- If someone is acting too 'cool' or arrogant, a Cantonese speaker might say they are 扮型 (baan6 jing3), which literally means 'pretending to be a model'.
- In Hong Kong, 型 is often used to describe the 'cool' aura of action movie stars, reflecting a cultural obsession with the 'heroic bloodshed' cinema style of the 1980s.
- Be careful not to confuse 型 with 性, which sounds similar but refers to 'gender' or 'nature'. Mispronouncing the tone could change a compliment about style into a discussion about biology.
Examples in context
- Tom成日懶係型咁。Tom is always trying to be cool.This sentence shows how someone might try to act cool using 型.Tatoeba #4675982 by kaenif, translation #1025095 by CK
- 如果我有個好得意嘅細佬或者好型嘅阿哥就好喇。I wish I had a cute little brother or a cool older brother.This sentence uses 型 to describe a cool older brother.Tatoeba #6116689 by nickyeow, translation #3195515 by Tappity
- 佢嘅衫好型！His clothes are really cool!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ya Ting and Jun Jie are discussing the air conditioning in a room.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting呢度啲氣氛好型呀。ni1 dou6 di1 hei3 fan1 hou2 jing2 aa3.The atmosphere here is very cool.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit係呀，個冷氣好強。hai6 aa3, go3 laang5 hei3 hou2 koeng4.Yes, the air conditioning is very strong.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我覺得太型喇，想著件外套。ngo5 gok3 dak1 taai3 jing2 laa3, soeng2 zoek3 gin6 ngoi6 tou3.I think it's too cool, I want to put on a jacket.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好啦，我幫你攞外套。hou2 laa1, ngo5 bong1 nei5 lo2 ngoi6 tou3.Okay, I'll get the jacket for you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
