fai3 fu2肺腑
Jyutpingfai3 fu2
Yalefai fú
Definition
The bottom of one's heart; one's innermost feelings.
neutralemotionpeople
How it's used
Reserved for moments of profound sincerity, this term is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 肺腑之言. It carries a heavy, serious weight that makes it sound overly dramatic or literary in casual, everyday banter. Use it only when you are having a deep, heart to heart conversation or expressing a sentiment that is truly significant.
Examples
He finally spoke from the bottom of his heart today.
Do you really want to hear what I have to say from the bottom of my heart?
Related words
Common phrases
words from the bottom of one's heart
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe simple opinions or casual thoughts, as it implies a level of emotional vulnerability and gravity that would sound bizarre in mundane contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
