mei5 faa3美化
Jyutpingmei5 faa3
Yaleméih fa
Definition
To beautify, enhance, or make something look better; to sugarcoat or glamorize.
- to beautify; to make something look prettier through decoration or modification
- figurativeto glamorize; to sugarcoat a situation to make it sound better than it is
neutraldescriptionscommunication
How it's used
Beyond the literal sense of making something look better, this word is frequently used in a metaphorical sense to describe sugarcoating or spinning a negative situation to make it sound more acceptable. It carries a slightly critical tone when used in this context, implying that the speaker is hiding the ugly truth behind a layer of nice words.
Examples
This photo has been heavily beautified; it doesn't look like the person at all.
You don't need to sugarcoat the situation, just tell the truth.
Related words
Common phrases
to beautify the environment
to sugarcoat the facts
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 扮靚, which is used for people putting on makeup or dressing up. 美化 is typically reserved for objects, environments, or abstract concepts like reports or stories.
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.
