fu2 siu3苦笑
Jyutpingfu2 siu3
Yalefú siu
Definition
To give a wry, forced, or bitter smile while experiencing negative emotions.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Expresses a specific type of reaction where someone smiles to mask embarrassment, helplessness, or irony rather than genuine amusement. It is often used when a person is caught in an awkward situation or when they have to accept an outcome they do not actually like. Unlike a genuine smile, this is a social gesture used to save face or acknowledge a difficult reality.
Examples
The joke was so awkward that he could only give a wry smile.
Related words
Common phrases
can only give a wry smile
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with laughing at someone else's misfortune, which is more accurately described as 恥笑. While 苦笑 implies internal discomfort, 恥笑 carries a sense of mockery or malice towards others.
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.
