cong1 baa1瘡疤疮疤
Jyutpingcong1 baa1
Yalechōng bā
Definition
A scar from a sore, or metaphorically, a sad or traumatic experience.
- a scar left from a boil or sore
- figurativea painful or traumatic past experience
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Used primarily in the fixed expression 揭人瘡疤, which functions like the English idiom 'to rub salt in the wound'. It carries a strong sense of cruelty or lack of empathy, as it implies intentionally exposing someone's most vulnerable or shameful history for personal gain or malice. While it literally refers to a physical scar, it is almost exclusively used in this metaphorical sense in daily speech.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Stop constantly bringing up people's painful pasts.
This incident is a painful scar in his heart.
Related words
Common phrases
to expose someone's painful past
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general scars like 疤痕, as 瘡疤 specifically carries the weight of emotional trauma or a 'sore spot' that should not be touched.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
