sau3 maang1 maang1瘦蜢蜢

Jyutpingsau3 maang1 maang1

Yalesau māang māang

形容詞

Definition

Extremely thin; skin and bones; emaciated.

colloquialbodydescriptions

How it's used

Emphasizes a sickly or unhealthily thin appearance rather than just being naturally slim. It carries a slightly concerned or critical tone, often implying that the person looks frail or malnourished. The reduplicated structure adds a vivid, descriptive quality that makes the image of someone being skin and bones more striking.

Examples

keoi5佢sing4成go3個jan4人sau3瘦maang2蜢maang2蜢gam3咁，hou2好ci5似hou2好noi6耐mou5冇sik6食gwo3過je5嘢。

He is so thin and gaunt, it looks like he hasn't eaten in ages.

nei5你zou6做me1咩sau3瘦maang2蜢maang2蜢zo2咗gam3咁do1多？hai6係mai6咪beng6病zo2咗aa4呀？

Why have you become so skinny? Are you sick?

Common phrases

sau3瘦maang2蜢maang2蜢gam3咁

looking very thin

sau3瘦maang2蜢maang2蜢zo2咗

became very thin

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply fit or slender, as it implies an undesirable or unhealthy lack of flesh. It is specifically reserved for people who look worryingly thin.