fu2 gwaa1 gam2 hau2 min6苦瓜噉口面苦瓜啖口面
Jyutpingfu2 gwaa1 gam2 hau2 min6
Yalefú gwā gám háu mihn
Definition
To have a sad face or look miserable.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
This idiom vividly captures the specific facial expression of someone who is unhappy, reluctant, or forced to do something they dislike. It draws a direct comparison to the bitter taste of bitter melon, implying that the person's face is twisted in a way that suggests they have just tasted something unpleasant. It is almost exclusively used to describe someone's current mood or reaction rather than a permanent personality trait.
Examples
Why do you always have such a miserable look on your face?
He looked miserable the moment he saw the exam paper.
Related words
Common phrases
always looking miserable
with a miserable look on one's face
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is physically sick or in pain, as it specifically refers to a mood or an attitude of unhappiness. It is also not used to describe someone who is naturally ugly, only someone who is currently wearing a sad or sour expression.
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.
