mui4 si2煤屎
Jyutpingmui4 si2
Yalemùih sí
Definition
Coal ash, soot, or the powdery residue left after burning coal.
colloquialhomedescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the fine, dark, powdery residue left behind after burning coal or charcoal. While modern Hong Kong homes rarely use coal for heating or cooking, the term remains common in older districts or when describing dusty, neglected environments. It carries a negative connotation of filth and poor hygiene.
Measure word
deoi1堆dēuiExamples
The house hasn't been wiped for a long time, there is coal ash everywhere.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
