tou2 hei3土氣土气
Jyutpingtou2 hei3
Yaletóu hei
Definition
Rustic, old-fashioned, or unsophisticated in style or appearance.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Describes a lack of modern aesthetic sense or a style that feels outdated. While it shares the same meaning as 老土, it carries a slightly more descriptive or judgmental tone regarding someone's taste in fashion or design. It is often used to critique clothing choices or interior decor that fails to keep up with current trends.
Examples
Her outfit is so unfashionable, it doesn't suit her at all.
Do you think this design looks a bit rustic?
Related words
Common phrases
to dress in an unfashionable way
the style is outdated
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin usage which can sometimes imply a more literal sense of being earthy or unrefined in a rural way. In Hong Kong Cantonese, it is almost exclusively used to describe fashion or style that is perceived as tacky or behind the times.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
