fei1菲
Jyutpingfei1
Yalefēi
Definition
Humble, meager, or inferior.
writtenemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Appears almost exclusively in the four-character idiom 妄自菲薄. It functions as a literary morpheme rather than a standalone adjective in modern spoken Cantonese. Using it outside of this specific idiom will sound unnatural or overly formal to native speakers.
Examples
He always looks down on himself, but he is actually very talented.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake it for a common adjective and try to use it to describe small things or meager amounts, but it is restricted to describing a lack of self-worth or an overly modest attitude.
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.
