pui3旆
Jyutpingpui3
Yalepui
Definition
A pennant, flag, or banner; also used to refer to someone's whereabouts or travel.
- literarypennant; flag; banner
- literarythe whereabouts or journey of a person
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the trail, signs, or whereabouts left behind by someone. It is a literary term that has transitioned into very specific colloquial usage, often appearing in contexts involving searching for missing people or tracking someone down. Using it in casual conversation can sound quite dramatic or slightly old-fashioned.
Examples
Where did they go? There is absolutely no trace of them.
I cannot find any trace of them, I am really worried.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of a flag or banner, which is almost never used in modern spoken Cantonese. Learners often mistake it for a common noun, but it functions more like a marker of someone's presence or current status.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
