bat1 hon4 ji4 leot6不寒而慄不寒而栗
Jyutpingbat1 hon4 ji4 leot6
Yalebāt hòhn yìh leuht
Definition
To tremble with fear; to shudder or shiver from extreme terror despite not being cold.
writtenemotion
How it's used
This is a formal idiom often found in news reports, literature, or serious storytelling rather than casual banter. It carries a heavy, dramatic weight that suggests a deep, visceral reaction to something truly disturbing or sinister. Using it in everyday conversation about minor annoyances will sound overly theatrical or sarcastic.
Examples
Thinking about that accident really makes me shudder.
Did that ghost story you told make you shudder?
Related words
Common phrases
to make one shudder
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a physical reaction to actual cold weather. It is strictly reserved for psychological fear or dread, not for the literal shivering caused by low temperatures.
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.
