baai6 bat1敗筆败笔

Jyutpingbaai6 bat1

Yalebaih bāt

Definition

A faulty stroke in calligraphy or painting

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How it's used

Originally referring to a poorly executed brushstroke in calligraphy, this term has evolved into a common way to critique the single weak link in an otherwise successful project or event. It carries a sense of disappointment because it highlights how one small mistake can detract from an otherwise high quality effort. It is frequently used in professional or artistic critiques to pinpoint exactly where something went wrong.

Examples

ni1 go3 cit3 gai3 zeoi3 baai6 bat1 ge3 dei6 fong1 hai6 ngaan4 sik1 taai2 sam1

呢個設計最敗筆嘅地方係顏色太深。

The most flawed part of this design is that the colors are too dark.

seng4 coeng4 biu2 jin2 gam3 zing1 coi2 dim2 gaai2 zeoi3 hau6 wui6 ji5 jau5 go3 baai6 bat1 aa4

成場表演咁精彩，點解最後會有個敗筆呀？

The whole performance was so brilliant, why was there such a flaw at the end?

Common phrases

wai4 jat1 ge3 baai6 bat1

唯一嘅敗筆

the only flaw

baai6 bat1 zi1 cyu5

敗筆之處

the point where it is flawed

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general word for failure or defeat, but it specifically refers to a single flaw or error within a larger, mostly successful context. It is not used to describe a total failure or a complete loss.