paai4 gwat1 zing1排骨精
Jyutpingpaai4 gwat1 zing1
Yalepàaih gwāt jīng
Definition
An extremely thin, skinny, or bony person.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term is a vivid, slightly derogatory metaphor that compares a very thin person to a rack of pork ribs. It carries a judgmental tone regarding someone's lack of physical substance or perceived weakness. Avoid using it in formal settings or with people you do not know well, as it can easily cause offense.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is as skinny as a rake, he really needs to eat more.
Why are you calling people a skinny weakling? That is very rude.
Related words
Common phrases
as skinny as a skeleton
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply describing someone as thin, such as 瘦. Using this term specifically targets the person's appearance in a way that implies they are unhealthily or unappealingly bony.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
