pung4 tau4 gau3 min6蓬頭垢面蓬头垢面
Jyutpingpung4 tau4 gau3 min6
Yalepùhng tàuh gau mihn
Definition
Unkempt, dirty, and untidy in appearance.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of neglect towards one's personal hygiene or presentation. It is often used to describe someone who has been working extremely hard or has been stuck at home for a long time without caring about their appearance. While it is a formal idiom, it is frequently used in casual speech to tease friends or family about their messy state.
Examples
He is always unkempt, looking like he hasn't combed his hair.
Why do you look so disheveled? Go tidy yourself up quickly.
Related words
Common phrases
an unkempt look
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply wearing casual clothes. It specifically implies a lack of grooming, such as messy hair and a dirty face, rather than just a lack of fashion sense.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
