zi6 fung1自封
Jyutpingzi6 fung1
Yalejih fūng
Definition
To proclaim oneself, or to confine oneself.
- to proclaim or crown oneself (e.g. as a king or expert)
- to confine, isolate, or restrict oneself
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This word functions in two distinct ways depending on context. When used to mean proclaiming oneself, it carries a strong sense of irony or mockery, implying the person is not actually qualified for the title they claim. When used to mean confining oneself, it is often used figuratively to describe someone who isolates themselves from social interaction or the outside world.
Examples
He proclaimed himself a master, but actually nobody knows him.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 自閉, which refers to being socially withdrawn or having autism spectrum disorder. While 自封 can imply isolation, it specifically highlights the act of shutting oneself away, whereas 自閉 describes a more chronic state of being.
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.
