mei5 jan4 ziu3 geng3美人照鏡美人照镜
Jyutpingmei5 jan4 ziu3 geng3
Yaleméih yàhn jiu geng
Definition
To eat all the food on one's plate, leaving it clean enough for a beauty to use as a mirror.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
This idiomatic expression is a playful way to describe finishing every last bit of food on a plate. The imagery suggests the plate has become so clean and shiny that a beautiful person could use it as a mirror to check their appearance. It is often used to praise someone for not being wasteful or to comment on how delicious a meal was.
Examples
You ate everything until the plate is spotless, you really don't waste food.
Common phrases
to eat until the plate is spotless
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase in formal dining settings or business dinners, as it is strictly colloquial and carries a slightly humorous, informal tone. It is best reserved for casual meals with friends or family at home or at local eateries.
Grammar color guide
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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.
