fui1 gu1 noeng4灰姑娘
Jyutpingfui1 gu1 noeng4
Yalefūi gū nèuhng
Definition
Cinderella; the classic fairy tale or its main character.
- the fairy tale of Cinderella
- Cinderella, the main character of the story
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Beyond the literal fairy tale character, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who suddenly rises from humble or difficult circumstances to success or prominence. It carries a sense of a dramatic, almost magical transformation in social status or fortune. When applied to a person, it can sometimes be used sarcastically to mock someone who acts as if they are waiting for a prince to save them from their mundane life.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
I really liked watching Cinderella when I was little.
Related words
Common phrases
Cinderella story
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal translation of ash or grey, which is 灰. While the name contains the character for ash, it is exclusively used for the character or the story and cannot be used to describe someone who is simply dusty or grey.
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.
