baau1 cing1 tin1包青天
Jyutpingbaau1 cing1 tin1
Yalebāau chīng tīn
Definition
Justice Bao, a famously upright Song dynasty official, used metaphorically to describe a dark face or a scowl.
- Justice Bao, an upright and incorruptible Song dynasty judge and official
- figurativesomeone who is dark-faced, scowling, or in a bad mood
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Refers primarily to the legendary judge from the Song Dynasty known for his incorruptible nature and iconic black face. In everyday speech, it is frequently used as a metaphor for someone who is visibly angry or sulking, often paired with the expression 黑口黑面. It can also be used literally to describe someone with a very dark or bruised complexion.
Examples
Why are you looking so grumpy, like Justice Bao?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to describe someone with a naturally dark skin tone, as it is specifically associated with the theatrical makeup of the character and implies a temporary state of anger or a medical bruise.
Grammar color guide
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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.
