jyun4 lou4 fong1 zi2圓顱方趾圆颅方趾

Jyutpingjyun4 lou4 fong1 zi2

Yaleyùhn lòuh fōng jí

Definition

A human being, characterized by a round head and square feet.

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How it's used

This is a highly literary idiom that stands out sharply in modern Cantonese because it uses classical imagery to describe the human form. It is almost exclusively used in formal writing, philosophical discussions, or when someone wants to sound intentionally archaic or poetic. Using it in casual conversation will sound extremely unnatural and pretentious.

Examples

ni1呢go3個sai3世gaai3界gam3咁do1多jyun4圓lou4顱fong1方zi2趾，bin1邊go3個sin1先hai6係hou2好jan4人？

There are so many humans in this world, who is actually a good person?

keoi5佢dei6哋dou1都hai6係jyun4圓lou4顱fong1方zi2趾，dim2點gaai2解jiu3要wu6互soeng1相soeng1傷hoi6害？

They are all human, why do they have to hurt each other?

Common phrases

jyun4圓lou4顱fong1方zi2趾zi1之bui3輩

the human race

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common noun like 人, but it is a descriptive idiom. It is never used as a simple label for a person in daily life, so avoid using it in place of standard terms like 人類 or 啲人.