po3 soeng3破相
Jyutpingpo3 soeng3
Yalepo seung
Definition
To damage or scar a part of one's face, less severe than complete disfigurement.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Focuses specifically on minor facial damage that affects one's appearance, such as a scar or a bad pimple, rather than total facial destruction. It carries a slightly superstitious or cautionary undertone, often used when warning someone against picking at their skin or taking unnecessary physical risks. It is common to hear it used in a semi-joking way among friends regarding skin blemishes.
Examples
He fell and hurt his nose, it looks like he's disfigured.
Related words
Common phrases
afraid of disfiguring one's face
be careful not to disfigure your face
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 毀容, which implies severe, permanent, or total facial disfigurement. Using 破相 for a major accident sounds dismissive or inaccurate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
