mei6 lou5 sin1 seoi1未老先衰

Jyutpingmei6 lou5 sin1 seoi1

Yalemeih lóuh sīn sēui

Definition

To age prematurely; to become frail and weak in body or mind before one's time.

colloquialhealthdescriptions

How it's used

Often used to describe someone who looks or acts much older than their actual age due to stress, poor health, or bad lifestyle habits. While it can be used to describe physical appearance, it is frequently applied to a lack of energy or a pessimistic, weary attitude. It carries a slightly critical or pitying tone rather than being a clinical medical diagnosis.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日ngaai4捱je2夜，gaau2搞dou3到mei6未lou5老sin1先ceoi1衰gam3咁joeng2樣。

He stays up late all the time, which makes him look old before his time.

nei5你gam3咁hau6後saang1生zau6就mei6未lou5老sin1先ceoi1衰，hai6係mai6咪beng6病zo2咗aa4呀？

You look so frail for your age, are you sick?

Common phrases

gaau2搞dou3到mei6未lou5老sin1先ceoi1衰

to cause oneself to look old before one's time

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is simply naturally ugly or has a specific facial feature; it specifically implies a decline from a previous, more youthful state.