靚女
leng zai
The Cantonese phrase for "pretty girl" is 靚女 (leng zai).
The phrase is used to describe a girl or woman who is physically attractive.
How do you pronounce it?
leng zai
Did you know?
- In Hong Kong, 靚女 is frequently used as a generic term of address for female service workers, similar to 'ma'am' or 'miss', regardless of whether the speaker actually finds them attractive.
- The term 靚 can be applied to objects, such as a 'pretty' car or a 'nice' piece of fruit, making it a broader term for 'high quality' or 'aesthetic' than the English 'pretty'.
- Cantonese speakers may use 靚女 ironically among close female friends to tease one another about their appearance or behavior.
Examples in context
- 嗰個靚女係邊個嚟㗎？Who is that pretty girl?This sentence is useful for identifying a specific person using 靚女.Tatoeba #616333 by nickyeow, translation #68706 by CK
- 你真係一個靚女You are truly a pretty girl.
- 早晨，靚女啊！Good morning, pretty girl!
- 嗰個靚女好高呀。go2 go3 leng3 neoi5 hou2 gou1 aa3.That pretty girl is very tall.
Example conversation
Jun Kit is complimenting Ka Yan on her new dress.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit今日你好似個靚女咁。gam1 jat2 nei6 hou2 ci5 go3 leng3 neoi2 gam2.You look like a pretty girl today.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan多謝你，俊傑！do1 ze6 nei6, jun1 git3!Thank you, Jun Kit!
- 俊傑 Chun Kit呢條裙好啱你。ni1 tiu4 kwan1 hou2 am4 nei6.This dress really suits you.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我好鍾意呢件衫。ngo5 hou2 zung1 ji3 ni1 gin6 saam1.I really like this piece of clothing.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
