faat3 san1發身发身
Jyutpingfaat3 san1
Yalefaat sān
Definition
To reach puberty; to mature physically.
colloquialpeoplehealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to the physical changes and growth spurts associated with adolescence. It carries a slightly informal tone and is most commonly used by parents or older relatives when discussing a child's rapid physical development.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 發育, which is more clinical and formal. While they share the same meaning, 發身 is strictly Cantonese and sounds more natural in casual conversation about a child growing up.
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.
