zi6 so1 neoi5自梳女

Jyutpingzi6 so1 neoi5

Yalejih sō néuih

Definition

Self-combed woman; a woman who takes a vow to remain unmarried and independent for life.

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How it's used

Historically, these women performed a ritual of combing their hair into a bun to signify their vow of celibacy and independence from patriarchal marriage. It represents a specific cultural phenomenon from the Pearl River Delta where women working in the silk industry gained enough financial autonomy to reject marriage. The term is now largely historical and carries a sense of respect for their courage in defying traditional gender roles.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

teng1聽gong2講ngo5我taai3太po4婆ji5以cin4前dou1都hai6係zi6自so1梳neoi2女lai2嚟㗎。

I heard my great-grandmother was a self-combed woman back in the day.

zi6自so1梳neoi2女m4唔daan1單zi2止hai6係jat1一zung2種san1身fan2份，zung6仲hai6係jat1一zung2種duk6獨laap6立ge3嘅zoeng6象zing1徵。

Being a self-combed woman is not just an identity, but a symbol of independence.

Common phrases

zou6做zi6自so1梳neoi2女

to become a self-combed woman

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with modern terms for being single, as it refers to a specific historical social group with a formal vow and ritual. It is not a casual way to describe someone who is simply unmarried.