am3 lyun2暗戀暗恋
Jyutpingam3 lyun2
Yaleam lyún
Definition
To have a secret crush on someone; to love someone secretly without letting them know.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Focuses on the internal, unexpressed nature of the feeling rather than the act of pursuing someone. It is commonly used in casual gossip or when discussing someone's secret romantic history. Unlike formal terms for love, this carries a sense of vulnerability and quiet longing.
Examples
Are you crushing on that boy in the next class?
He has had a crush on that person for a long time and never dares to confess.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鍾意, which is a general term for liking someone or something. 暗戀 specifically implies that the object of affection is unaware of your feelings, whereas 鍾意 can be openly expressed.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
