gwai2 fo2鬼火
Jyutpinggwai2 fo2
Yalegwái fó
Definition
Will-o'-the-wisp; a greenish phosphorescent light seen over cemeteries or marshes.
colloquialnature
How it's used
Beyond the scientific explanation, this term is deeply embedded in folklore and ghost stories as a sign of restless spirits or haunted locations. It carries a spooky, ominous tone and is rarely used in casual conversation unless discussing horror tales or supernatural experiences. The imagery of the flickering, eerie green light is a classic trope in local ghost lore.
Measure word
tyun4團tyùnhExamples
I heard you can often see will-o'-the-wisps there at night.
Seeing a will-o'-the-wisp in the middle of nowhere is really terrifying.
Related words
Common phrases
to see a will-o'-the-wisp
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
