faa1 ping4花瓶
Definition
Vase; also used figuratively to describe someone who has good looks but no talent or substance.
- vase
- figurativea person who is only attractive but lacks substance, talent, or utility
How it's used
While the literal meaning refers to a container for flowers, the figurative usage is a common insult for someone perceived as decorative but incompetent. It implies that the person was chosen or kept solely for their appearance, often in a professional or public setting. Using this term carries a strong sense of dismissal regarding the person's actual skills or value.
Measure word
go3個goRelated words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 花瓶, which is also used figuratively but often specifically implies a woman who is only valued for her beauty. In Cantonese, 花樽 is the more natural, everyday term for the physical object, while 花瓶 is understood but sounds slightly more formal or influenced by written Chinese.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
