baau3 laang5 mun2爆冷門爆冷门
Jyutpingbaau3 laang5 mun2
Yalebaau láahng mún
Definition
To produce an unexpected result in a race, match, or competition; an upset.
colloquialsports
How it's used
This expression is heavily associated with sports betting and horse racing, where it describes a long shot winning against the odds. While it can be used metaphorically for any surprising outcome, it retains a strong connection to competition and gambling contexts. It is rarely used to describe personal life events or general surprises outside of a competitive framework.
Examples
I didn't expect this match to be such an upset.
Do you think they will pull off an upset and win?
Related words
Common phrases
a major upset
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general surprise. Use it specifically for competitive scenarios where a clear underdog defeats a favorite, rather than just any unexpected news.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
