fei1 sim4 zau2 bik1飛簷走壁飞檐走壁
Jyutpingfei1 sim4 zau2 bik1
Yalefēi sìhm jáu bīk
Definition
To leap onto roofs and vault over walls; to move swiftly and easily across high structures.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes an extraordinary level of agility often associated with martial arts masters in wuxia novels or films. It is rarely used to describe real life actions, serving instead as a hyperbolic way to praise someone for being incredibly quick or nimble when navigating difficult terrain. The imagery focuses on the ability to move effortlessly across vertical or elevated surfaces.
Examples
He is very agile, as if he can leap onto roofs and vault over walls.
Can the protagonists in this movie really leap onto roofs and vault over walls?
Common phrases
to master the art of leaping onto roofs and vaulting over walls
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply good at parkour or climbing, as the term carries a strong literary and mythical connotation. It implies a level of skill that borders on the supernatural.
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.
