fau4 gwong1 loek6 jing2浮光掠影
Jyutpingfau4 gwong1 loek6 jing2
Yalefàuh gwōng leuhk yíng
Definition
Superficial, cursory, or fleeting; skimming over the surface without deep understanding or lasting impression.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite being used in everyday speech to describe a lack of depth. It is often used to criticize someone for not paying enough attention to details or for failing to grasp the essence of a situation. It functions as a descriptive phrase for actions like reading, observing, or investigating.
Examples
He only has a superficial understanding of this matter, not deep enough.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive term meaning 'quick and efficient', but it is almost always used to imply a negative, superficial approach to a task.
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.
