ceoi1 meng6 fu4催命符
Jyutpingceoi1 meng6 fu4
Yalechēui mehng fùh
Definition
A death-hastening Taoist amulet; figuratively, something that hastens death or a person who constantly nags others to hurry.
- a folk Taoist amulet believed to hasten a person's death
- figurativesomething that hastens or causes death
- figurativea person who is always pressing others to get things done
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Originally referring to a supernatural talisman in folklore, this term is now almost exclusively used as a hyperbolic metaphor for extreme pressure. It is most commonly applied to work tasks or deadlines that feel so urgent they are physically or mentally draining. Using it implies that the person or task is not just annoying, but actively detrimental to your well-being.
Measure word
dou6道douhExamples
You keep rushing me every day, you are literally the bane of my life.
The boss's report is a death warrant, it's keeping me from getting any sleep.
Related words
Common phrases
treat as a death warrant
simply a death warrant
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a literal medical condition or a physical weapon. It is strictly for metaphorical pressure, usually related to work, chores, or persistent nagging.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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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.
