lung6 ngaa5 zi1 hei2弄瓦之喜
Jyutpinglung6 ngaa5 zi1 hei2
Yaleluhng ngáh jī héi
Definition
Congratulations on the birth of a baby girl.
writtenfamilyother
How it's used
Literally referring to the ancient practice of giving a girl a clay spindle to play with, this idiom is exclusively reserved for the birth of a daughter. It carries a formal and literary tone, often appearing in congratulatory cards or formal speeches rather than casual conversation between close friends. Using it in a text message or a casual chat might sound overly dramatic or old-fashioned.
Examples
Congratulations, I heard you had a baby girl, what a wonderful blessing!
When are you guys hosting a banquet to celebrate the birth of your daughter?
Related words
Common phrases
congratulations on the birth of a daughter
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 弄璋之喜, which is the corresponding idiom used specifically for the birth of a son. Using them interchangeably will cause confusion as they are gender-specific.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
