fu1 sik1膚色肤色
Jyutpingfu1 sik1
Yalefū sīk
Definition
Skin color.
neutralbodydescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the natural pigmentation of a person's skin rather than a temporary tan or a change due to health. While it is a standard term in formal contexts like human rights or medical discussions, it is also frequently used in casual beauty and fashion conversations when choosing makeup or clothing. It carries a more objective tone than simply describing someone as black or white.
Examples
Their skin colour is very fair, just like a foreigner.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to describe a temporary change in skin tone caused by sun exposure or illness; for those situations, Cantonese speakers prefer using phrases like 曬黑咗 or 面色唔好.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
