fui1 seoi2灰水
Jyutpingfui1 seoi2
Yalefūi séui
Definition
Whitewash; a traditional, corrosive lime-based paint commonly used in the 1960s, now mostly replaced by latex paint.
colloquialhomeother
How it's used
Refers specifically to a traditional, low-cost wall coating that was ubiquitous in older Hong Kong tenement buildings. Because it is alkaline and corrosive, it can cause skin irritation or chemical burns if handled without protection. It is now considered an obsolete construction material, having been almost entirely superseded by modern latex paint.
Examples
People really liked painting walls with whitewash back in the day.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with modern water-based paints, as the term specifically denotes the traditional, powdery, and corrosive mixture used in the past.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
