zuk1 sing1 mui1竹升妹
Definition
A young overseas Chinese woman or girl born or raised abroad, often with limited knowledge of Chinese.
How it's used
The term originates from the metaphor of a bamboo pole, which is hollow inside, suggesting that the person is culturally empty or lacks a solid foundation in Chinese heritage. While it specifically refers to women, the masculine counterpart is竹升仔. It is important to note that the term can carry a slightly derogatory or mocking tone depending on the speaker's intent, though it is also frequently used as a neutral descriptor for one's upbringing.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in professional or formal settings, as it can be perceived as insensitive or reductive. It is strictly a colloquial label for social contexts and should not be used to address someone directly unless you are very close friends.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
