faa1 joeng6 nin4 waa4花樣年華花样年华
Jyutpingfaa1 joeng6 nin4 waa4
Yalefā yeuhng nìhn wàh
Definition
The golden years of youth; the prime of one's life resembling blooming flowers.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This expression is heavily influenced by literary and cinematic contexts, particularly the famous film by Wong Kar-wai. It carries a nostalgic, slightly melancholic tone that suggests beauty that is fleeting or already in the past. Unlike simple terms for youth, it implies a sense of elegance and aesthetic perfection.
Measure word
dyun6段dyunhExamples
She is in her prime, she should really enjoy life.
Do you remember your own golden years?
Related words
Common phrases
to be in one's prime
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe everyday youth or simple childhood, as it carries a specific weight of romanticized beauty. It is rarely used in casual, blunt conversation to describe someone currently young.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
