wing4 waa4 fu3 gwai3榮華富貴荣华富贵
Definition
Wealth, high social status, and prestige.
How it's used
This idiom carries a slightly cynical or cautionary tone in modern usage, often implying that such worldly success is fleeting or comes at the expense of personal integrity. It is frequently used in contexts where someone is being warned against chasing material gains over genuine relationships or happiness. While it sounds formal, it is widely understood and used in casual conversation to describe the lifestyle of the wealthy or the ambitions of the greedy.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive compliment, but it can sound sarcastic or critical depending on the speaker's tone. It is not a term used to congratulate someone on their success, as it focuses more on the external trappings of wealth rather than personal achievement.
Grammar color guide
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.
