fu2 hau2 fu2 min6苦口苦面
Jyutpingfu2 hau2 fu2 min6
Yalefú háu fú mihn
Definition
To look miserable, worried, or gloomy; to wear a bitter, distressed expression.
colloquialdescriptionsemotion
How it's used
This idiom is used specifically to describe someone's facial expression when they are unhappy, worried, or annoyed. It implies a visible, external display of inner turmoil rather than just a feeling of sadness. It is often used to tell someone to cheer up or to comment on a negative atmosphere.
Examples
Why do you always look so miserable?
He is sitting there looking gloomy, as if he has something on his mind.
Related words
Common phrases
always looking miserable
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being sad or crying. It specifically refers to the physical look of a person's face, often suggesting they are being a bit of a killjoy or are visibly sulking.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



