baat3 zi6八字
Jyutpingbaat3 zi6
Yalebaat jih
Definition
One's fortune or destiny, calculated from the eight characters representing the date and time of one's birth.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the four pairs of characters representing the year, month, day, and hour of birth. It is deeply embedded in cultural beliefs regarding fate and interpersonal compatibility. When people say someone has a good 八字, they imply that the person is destined for success or smooth sailing in life.
Examples
Our birth times don't match, it's hard for us to even be friends.
Do you know what his birth time details are?
Related words
Common phrases
incompatible birth times
born under a lucky star
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply asking for someone's birthday. Asking for someone's 八字 is a much more personal and superstitious inquiry that implies an interest in their destiny or compatibility, rather than just knowing their date of birth.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
