ziu3 jiu1 geng3照妖鏡照妖镜
Definition
A mythological mirror that reveals a demon's true form; figuratively, something that exposes the hidden truth.
- a mythological mirror that reveals a demon's true form
- figurativea standard or test that exposes someone's true, often ugly, nature
- slanga camera lens used by paparazzi to capture celebrities looking unflattering
How it's used
Originally from folklore where it detects supernatural beings, the term now functions as a powerful metaphor for anything that exposes hypocrisy or hidden flaws. It is frequently used in political commentary or gossip to describe evidence that forces someone to drop their public mask. When used to describe paparazzi photography, it highlights the unflattering, raw nature of the images compared to polished promotional shots.
Measure word
faai3塊faiExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a literal mirror used for grooming or checking one's appearance. It is exclusively a figurative term for exposure or revelation, and using it to describe a regular household mirror will sound confusing or overly dramatic.
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.
