to4酡

Jyutpingto4

Yaletòh

Definition

Flushed or red in the face from drinking alcohol.

colloquialdrinkbody

How it's used

This term is almost exclusively used in the reduplicated form 酡酡 to describe the specific reddish complexion caused by alcohol consumption. It carries a slightly descriptive or observational tone, often used when teasing someone about their low alcohol tolerance. It is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese.

Examples

keoi5佢jam2飲jyun4完zau2酒faai3塊min6面hung4紅to4酡to4酡gam3咁。

His face is all flushed after drinking.

nei5你jam2飲zo2咗gei2幾do1多aa4呀，min6面hung4紅to4酡to4酡㗎？

How much have you had to drink, your face is so flushed?

Common phrases

hung4紅to4酡to4酡

flushed and red

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with general redness from heat or embarrassment, but it is specifically associated with the physiological reaction to ethanol. Using it to describe a sunburn or a blushing face sounds unnatural to native speakers.