am1 ceon1鵪鶉鹌鹑
Jyutpingam1 ceon1
Yaleām chēun
Definition
Timid and cowardly, avoiding confrontation; literally a quail.
- quail
- figurativetimid, cowardly, and afraid of confrontation
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Comparing someone to a quail highlights a specific type of submissive, shrinking behavior rather than just general fear. It is often used to describe someone who avoids eye contact or keeps their head down to escape notice during a conflict. The term carries a slightly mocking tone, suggesting the person is unnecessarily passive.
Examples
Why are you being such a coward? Go and talk to them clearly.
He is usually very timid, who knew he would be so bold today.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply afraid of dangerous things like heights or spiders. It specifically refers to social timidity and the avoidance of confrontation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
