sai2 saam1 baan2洗衫板
Jyutpingsai2 saam1 baan2
Yalesái sāam báan
Definition
Washboard; also used as a mocking term for a flat-chested woman.
- washboard, a ridged board used for washing clothes
- slanga mocking term for a flat-chested woman
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
While originally referring to the physical tool used for manual laundry, the term is now far more frequently encountered as a derogatory slang term for women with small breasts. Using it in this context is highly offensive and objectifying. The physical tool itself is rarely seen in modern Hong Kong households, as washing machines have largely replaced manual scrubbing.
Measure word
faai3塊faiExamples
People in the past had a hard time doing laundry, they had to use a washboard to scrub.
He always mocks people by calling them a washboard, it is really rude.
Related words
Common phrases
use a washboard
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe a flat surface or a board in a neutral sense, as the sexualized connotation is almost always present when referring to a person.
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.
