dou2 mat6 si1 jan4睹物思人

Jyutpingdou2 mat6 si1 jan4

Yaledóu maht sī yàhn

動詞Rare

Definition

To see things that remind one of a person who has passed away or departed.

writtenemotionpeople

How it's used

This idiom carries a heavy, melancholic tone and is almost exclusively used in contexts involving loss, separation, or the passing of a loved one. It describes the emotional trigger of seeing a physical object that was once associated with someone who is no longer present. Unlike casual reminders, this phrase implies a deeper, often painful sense of nostalgia.

Examples

gin3見dou2到le1呢gin2件saam1衫，zan1真hai6係dou2睹mat6物si1思jan4人。

Seeing this shirt really reminds me of him.

nei5你zung6仲dou2睹mat6物si1思jan4人，m4唔hou2好zoi3再nam2諗keoi5佢laa1啦。

You are still dwelling on the past, stop thinking about him.

Common phrases

dou2睹mat6物si1思jan4人ge3嘅gam2感gok3覺

the feeling of being reminded of someone by their belongings

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general way to say something reminds them of someone, but it is specifically reserved for sentimental or sad situations. Do not use it for trivial things like being reminded of a colleague because you saw their favorite pen.