faan4 fu1 zuk6 zi2凡夫俗子
Jyutpingfaan4 fu1 zuk6 zi2
Yalefàahn fū juhk jí
Definition
Ordinary person; a mere mortal.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a self-deprecating or slightly cynical tone, often used to contrast oneself or others against someone perceived as elite, enlightened, or pretentious. It is frequently paired with 呢啲 to emphasize a sense of shared ordinariness among a group. While it implies being mundane, it is rarely used to describe someone in a neutral or purely factual way.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
We are just ordinary people, how would we know how to appreciate this art?
He thinks he is very special, but actually he is just an ordinary person.
Related words
Common phrases
mortals like us
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone you genuinely respect or in a professional context, as it can sound dismissive or overly dramatic. It is best reserved for casual conversation when making light of one's own lack of expertise or status.
Grammar color guide
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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).
