faat3 mui4發霉发霉
Jyutpingfaat3 mui4
Yalefaat mùih
Definition
To go moldy; to grow mildew.
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How it's used
While technically a standard term, it is frequently used in daily life to describe anything from food to damp walls or old leather goods. It carries a slightly stronger sense of neglect or long-term exposure to moisture compared to simply saying something is bad or spoiled. You will often hear it paired with the particle 晒 to emphasize that the entire object is covered in mould.
Examples
The clothes inside the cupboard have all gone mouldy and smell really bad.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the slang term 發霉 used to describe a person who is bored or has been stuck at home for too long, as this is a metaphorical extension of the literal meaning.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
