wing5 seoi4 bat1 jau2永垂不朽
Jyutpingwing5 seoi4 bat1 jau2
Yalewíhng sèuih bāt yáu
Definition
To live on forever; to be immortalized, typically referring to one's spirit, deeds, or ideas.
writtenother
How it's used
Reserved for formal contexts, this idiom is almost exclusively used to describe abstract concepts like legacies, spirits, or historical achievements. It carries a heavy, solemn tone, making it sound out of place when applied to everyday objects or trivial matters. Using it in casual conversation often creates a sense of irony or over-dramatization.
Examples
His great contributions will live on forever.
How can this kind of selfless spirit be immortalized?
Related words
Common phrases
the spirit lives on forever
the heroic name remains immortal
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe physical objects that are durable or long-lasting, but it is strictly for intangible concepts. For physical durability, use words like 耐用 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
