jau5 mou4 jau5 jik6有毛有翼
Jyutpingjau5 mou4 jau5 jik6
Yaleyáuh mòuh yáuh yihk
Definition
Grown up, independent, and no longer obedient.
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
Carries a strong critical tone, typically used by parents or elders to express frustration when a younger person asserts independence or stops following family expectations. It implies that the person has become arrogant or ungrateful now that they are capable of supporting themselves. The imagery of a bird leaving the nest highlights the transition from being under someone's care to being fully autonomous.
Examples
He is all grown up now and wants to move out.
Do you think you can stop listening to me just because you are grown up?
Related words
Common phrases
grown up and ready to fly the nest
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply becoming an adult in a neutral or positive way, as it almost always implies a sense of defiance or abandonment of family duty.
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.
