faat3 caai1髮釵发钗
Jyutpingfaat3 caai1
Yalefaat chāai
Definition
Hairpin; a hair ornament used to secure hair, characterized by having two prongs rather than one.
neutralclothing
How it's used
Distinguishing between 髮釵 and 髮簪 is largely a matter of the number of prongs. While 髮釵 features a U-shaped design with two prongs to grip hair firmly, 髮簪 typically consists of a single, slender rod. Both are traditional accessories, but they are rarely used in modern daily life outside of period dramas or traditional Chinese wedding attire.
Measure word
zi1枝jīExamples
She has a gold hairpin stuck in her hair.
Related words
Common phrases
gold hairpin
Common mistake
Learners often confuse these with generic hair clips like 髮夾. Remember that 髮釵 specifically refers to the traditional, often decorative, pronged style rather than modern plastic or metal spring-loaded clips.
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.
