faan1 gwai2 mui6番鬼妹
Jyutpingfaan1 gwai2 mui6
Yalefāan gwái muih
Definition
A young female Westerner, particularly of Caucasian descent.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
The prefix 番 carries a historical connotation of foreignness that can imply a sense of 'otherness' or being an outsider. While it is used to describe Westerners, it is less neutral than simply saying 鬼妹, which has become a common, often affectionate term in modern Hong Kong. Using 番鬼妹 can sound slightly dated or carry a sharper edge depending on the speaker's tone and intent.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That young foreign woman speaks Cantonese very fluently.
Related words
Common phrases
marry a young foreign woman
Common mistake
Do not use this term in a professional or formal setting as it can be perceived as rude or racially insensitive. Stick to more neutral terms like 外國人 or simply 鬼妹 if you are on friendly terms with the person.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
