zing1 zit3 paai4 fong1貞節牌坊贞节牌坊

Jyutpingzing1 zit3 paai4 fong1

Yalejīng jit pàih fōng

Definition

Memorial arch in honor of a chaste widow

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

Modern usage almost exclusively refers to the metaphorical concept of hypocrisy where someone acts immorally while simultaneously trying to maintain a public image of virtue. It is frequently used in the idiom 又要做雞，又要攞貞節牌坊, which critiques people who want the benefits of a scandalous lifestyle while also demanding the social respectability of a saint. The term carries a heavy sense of irony and social judgment.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5 seng4 jat6 baan6 hou2 jan4 zan1 hai6 hou2 ci5 laap6 zing1 zit3 paai4 fong1 gam3

佢成日扮好人，真係好似立貞節牌坊咁。

He always pretends to be a good person, just like someone trying to maintain a fake reputation.

nei5 zou6 zo2 gam3 do1 waai6 si6 zung6 soeng2 lo2 go3 zing1 zit3 paai4 fong1 aa4

你做咗咁多壞事，仲想攞個貞節牌坊呀？

You have done so many bad things, do you still want to claim moral superiority?

Common phrases

laap6 zing1 zit3 paai4 fong1

立貞節牌坊

to set up a memorial arch (metaphorically: to feign virtue)

Common mistake

Do not use this term literally unless discussing historical architecture or specific cultural history, as it is almost always intended as a sharp insult in daily conversation.