fu2 gung1 zi6 man6撫躬自問抚躬自问
Jyutpingfu2 gung1 zi6 man6
Yalefú gūng jih mahn
Definition
To examine one's own conscience; to ask oneself and reflect on one's actions.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and reflective tone, often used when someone needs to face their own conscience or moral integrity. It is significantly more literary than everyday expressions like 問下自己 or 諗下自己做過咩, making it sound serious or even slightly accusatory when directed at someone else. Use it when you want to emphasize deep self-reflection rather than just a quick thought.
Examples
Ask yourself, is this matter really your fault?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say 'think about it', but it specifically implies a moral evaluation or self-scrutiny. It is not suitable for casual situations like asking yourself what to eat for dinner.
Grammar color guide
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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.
