hoeng1 siu1 juk6 wan5香消玉殞香消玉殒
Jyutpinghoeng1 siu1 juk6 wan5
Yalehēung sīu yuhk wáhn
Definition
To pass away; a euphemism used to describe the death of a woman, especially a young or beautiful one.
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How it's used
Literary and poetic in nature, this expression is almost exclusively reserved for describing the death of a beautiful or talented woman. It carries a sense of tragedy and elegance, making it inappropriate for casual conversation or news reports about ordinary deaths. You will mostly encounter it in novels, historical dramas, or sentimental tributes.
Examples
I heard that actress has passed away.
It is such a pity that she passed away in the prime of her youth.
Related words
Common phrases
beautiful women often have short lives
Common mistake
Avoid using this for elderly women or in any context where the tone is neutral or clinical, as it implies a sense of lost beauty or potential that would sound bizarre or disrespectful if applied inappropriately.
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.
