sau4 mei4 fu2 lim5愁眉苦臉愁眉苦脸

Jyutpingsau4 mei4 fu2 lim5

Yalesàuh mèih fú líhm

語句Uncommon

Definition

To have a sad, worried, or depressed look; to pull a long face.

colloquialemotiondescriptions

How it's used

This idiom describes a specific facial expression of deep worry or unhappiness, often compared to the appearance of a dried bitter melon. It is frequently used to tease someone who is visibly sulking or to express concern for a friend who seems troubled. Unlike simply saying someone is sad, this phrase focuses entirely on the physical manifestation of those emotions on the face.

Examples

nei5你zou6做mat1乜sau4愁mei4眉fu2苦lim5臉aa4呀？

Why do you look so miserable?

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日sau4愁mei4眉fu2苦lim5臉，hou2好ci5似hou2好m4唔hoi1開sam1心gam3咁。

He always looks so worried and sad, as if he is very unhappy.

Common phrases

seng4成jat6日sau4愁mei4眉fu2苦lim5臉

to be looking miserable all the time

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a verb meaning to worry, but it is strictly a descriptive phrase for a facial expression. You should use it as an adjective or predicate, not as an action you perform to solve a problem.