sat1 tau4 daai6 gwo3 bei2膝頭大過髀膝头大过髀

Jyutpingsat1 tau4 daai6 gwo3 bei2

Yalesāt tàuh daaih gwo béi

形容詞

Definition

Extremely skinny or skeletal, as if one's knees are larger than one's thighs.

colloquialbodydescriptions

How it's used

This idiom provides a vivid, slightly exaggerated visual of extreme thinness by comparing the knee joint to the upper leg. It is often used in a caring or teasing way to suggest someone is malnourished or lacks muscle mass. Because it is highly descriptive and informal, it is best reserved for casual conversations among friends or family.

Examples

keoi5佢sau3瘦dou3到sat1膝tau4頭daai6大gwo3過bei2髀gam3咁joeng2樣。

He is so skinny that his knees look bigger than his thighs.

nei5你sik6食do1多di1啲laa1啦，sau3瘦dou3到sat1膝tau4頭daai6大gwo3過bei2髀aa4呀。

You should eat more, you are so skinny your knees look bigger than your thighs.

Common phrases

sau3瘦dou3到sat1膝tau4頭daai6大gwo3過bei2髀

so skinny that one's knees are bigger than one's thighs

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is simply slim or fit, as it specifically implies an unhealthy or skeletal appearance. It is a hyperbolic expression rather than a neutral description of body type.