hau2 hak1 min6 hak1口黑面黑
Jyutpinghau2 hak1 min6 hak1
Yaleháu hāk mihn hāk
Definition
To look angry, unhappy, or sullen; to pull a long face or wear a scowl.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the physical appearance of someone who is visibly displeased or holding a grudge. It is often used to describe someone who is projecting negative energy onto others, making them appear unapproachable or difficult to deal with. While it literally mentions the mouth and face, it functions as a single idiomatic unit to describe a person's overall grumpy demeanor.
Examples
He is scowling again at work today, did he have an argument with someone?
Related words
Common phrases
always scowling
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being sad or quiet. It specifically implies a hostile or annoyed attitude that is clearly displayed on the person's face, often suggesting they are actively expressing their irritation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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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).
