sei2 fui1 fuk6 jin4死灰復燃死灰复燃
Jyutpingsei2 fui1 fuk6 jin4
Yaleséi fūi fuhk yìhn
Definition
To burn again after being extinguished; to revive or resurge after having died out or quieted down.
writtenother
How it's used
Originally describing embers catching fire again, this idiom is now almost exclusively used in a negative sense to describe bad things like diseases, conflicts, or scandals returning. It carries a sense of unwanted persistence or a failure to fully eradicate a problem. It is a formal idiom that is rarely used in casual, everyday speech, so using it in a very informal setting might sound slightly pretentious or overly dramatic.
Examples
This scandal has recently revived, which is really bothering him.
Do you think this old force will make a comeback?
Related words
Common phrases
prevent a resurgence
fear a comeback
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for positive things like a hobby or a passion being reignited, but it is strictly reserved for negative or undesirable situations. For positive revivals, use phrases like 重燃希望 or 重新活躍.
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.
