fei6剕
Jyutpingfei6
Yalefeih
Definition
Amputation of the feet or legs as an ancient corporal punishment.
writtenother
How it's used
This term is strictly limited to historical or academic discussions regarding ancient Chinese penal systems. It is never used in modern contexts to describe medical procedures or accidents, as it specifically carries the weight of state-sanctioned corporal punishment. You will mostly encounter this in historical dramas or documentaries about the Qin or Han dynasties.
Examples
That kind of ancient amputation punishment is truly cruel.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general terms for cutting or surgery, as using this word in a medical context would sound extremely bizarre and archaic.
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.
