daai6 gaa1 gwai1 sau3大家閨秀大家闺秀
Jyutpingdaai6 gaa1 gwai1 sau3
Yaledaaih gā gwāi sau
Definition
A young woman from a wealthy, respected, or well-to-do family.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of traditional refinement, implying not just wealth but also a background of strict upbringing and etiquette. It is often used to describe someone who appears elegant, reserved, and well-educated in a classic sense. While it can be used as a compliment, it is sometimes used sarcastically to mock someone who seems overly sheltered or pampered.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
She is like a girl from a cultured family, very well-mannered.
Who says girls from wealthy families definitely don't know how to cook?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being rich or wealthy, as it specifically emphasizes the family's cultural background and the girl's refined behavior. Using it just to describe a rich girl misses the nuance of the upbringing implied by the term.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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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.
