hok6 faat3 tung4 ngaan4鶴髮童顏鹤发童颜

Jyutpinghok6 faat3 tung4 ngaan4

Yalehohk faat tùhng ngàahn

Definition

To describe an elderly person who has a healthy, ruddy complexion and white hair.

writtenpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom is a high-register, literary expression used to compliment an elderly person on their vitality and healthy appearance. It specifically highlights the contrast between the white hair, which signifies age, and the rosy, healthy skin tone that suggests youth and vigor. It is almost exclusively used in positive contexts to praise someone's longevity and good health.

Examples

keoi5佢seoi1雖jin4然baat3八sap6十seoi3歲，daan6但hok6鶴faat3髮tung4童ngaan4顏，hou2好zing1精san4神。

Although he is eighty, he has white hair and a youthful complexion, looking very energetic.

bin1邊go3個waa6話lou5老jan4人gaa1家jat1一ding6定hai6係lou5老taai3態lung4龍zung1鍾？tai2睇haa6下keoi5佢hok6鶴faat3髮tung4童ngaan4顏zau6就zi1知laa1啦。

Who says elderly people must be frail? Just look at his youthful complexion and white hair and you will know.

Common phrases

hok6鶴faat3髮tung4童ngaan4顏ge3嘅zoeng2長ze2者

an elderly person with white hair and a youthful complexion

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply old or has white hair, as it specifically requires the healthy, youthful complexion element to be accurate. It is not a neutral description of aging but a laudatory one.