aa2 hau2 mou4 jin4啞口無言哑口无言
Jyutpingaa2 hau2 mou4 jin4
Yaleá háu mòuh yìhn
Definition
To be left speechless, having no words or arguments to respond when questioned or refuted.
colloquialcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of being defeated in a debate or argument, often implying that the person has been proven wrong or caught in a lie. It is frequently used with the particle 俾 to indicate the source of the pressure, such as 俾人問到啞口無言.
Examples
He was left speechless, unable to refute anything at all.
Related words
Common phrases
to be questioned into silence
to be refuted into silence
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply shy or physically unable to speak, as it specifically implies a loss of argument or a lack of justification for one's position.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
