bat1 ciu3不肖
Jyutpingbat1 ciu3
Yalebāt chiu
Definition
Unfilial, unworthy, or degenerate, especially of children or offspring.
writtenfamilypeople
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of moral condemnation and is typically reserved for formal or serious contexts when criticizing someone's behavior toward their parents. While it appears in everyday speech, it is often used in a slightly dramatic or literary tone rather than casual conversation. It functions as a harsh label for someone who fails to uphold the cultural expectation of filial piety.
Examples
He is truly an unfilial son, always upsetting the elderly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 唔孝順, which is the standard, neutral way to describe someone who is not filial. Using 不肖 in casual settings can sound overly formal or like you are quoting a period drama.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
