優秀
jau1 sau3
The Cantonese word for "excellent" is 優秀 (jau1 sau3).
優秀 is used to describe something of the highest quality, such as academic achievements, professional performance or written reports.
Meaning: of the highest quality (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 優秀 specifically means excellent, in casual daily conversation, Cantonese speakers are much more likely to use 好 to mean good or great.
How do you pronounce it?
jau1 sau3
Did you know?
- In a food context, instead of using 'excellent', people often use 正 (zeng3), which literally means 'correct' or 'upright' to mean 'excellent' or 'top-notch'.
- To describe something that is 'excellent' in a way that is incredibly impressive, Cantonese speakers often use 勁 (ging6), which originally refers to physical strength or force.
- If you see a student performing exceptionally well, you might hear the term 尖子 (zim1 zi2), which literally refers to a 'pointed tip' or 'apex' to describe an excellent student.
Examples in context
- 你的才華真是十分出眾Your talent is truly outstanding.
- 你做得好好You did an excellent job.
- 呢個影片好正呀！This video is excellent!
- 真係好出色，我好鍾意。It's truly excellent, I really like it.
- 佢係一個優秀嘅學生。keoi5 hai6 jat1 go3 jau1 sau3 ge3 hok6 saang1.He is an excellent student.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new employee's performance.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你覺得新嚟嗰個同事點？nei5 gok3 dak1 san1 lai4 go2 go3 tung4 si6 dim2?What do you think of the new colleague?
- 志強 Chi Keung佢嘅表現非常優秀。keoi5 ge3 biu2 jin6 fei1 soeng4 jau1 sau3.His performance is very excellent.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan係喎，佢做事好快。hai6 wo3, keoi5 zo6 si6 hou2 faai3.True, he works very quickly.
- 志強 Chi Keung佢真係一個優秀嘅員工。keoi5 zan1 hai6 jat1 go3 jau1 sau3 ge3 jyun4 gung1.He really is an excellent employee.
