mei4黴
Definition
Mold or bacteria.
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of mold or fungus, this word is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who is down on their luck or having a streak of bad fortune. When used in this sense, it often appears as 倒黴, which carries a slightly more Mandarin-influenced tone but is widely understood and used in Hong Kong. It captures the feeling of being stuck in a stagnant, unpleasant situation, much like how mold grows in damp, neglected places.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 霉, which is a common simplified variant used in some contexts, but 黴 is the standard character for mold. Learners often mistake the metaphorical use for a physical description of a person, but it specifically refers to the state of one's luck or circumstances.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
