bo1 tou4 hung1 jung2波濤洶湧波涛汹涌
Jyutpingbo1 tou4 hung1 jung2
Yalebō tòuh hūng yúng
Definition
Turbulent and surging waves, or humorously used to describe a woman with large breasts.
- (of waves) roaring and surging turbulently
- slanghaving large breasts
colloquialnaturepeople
How it's used
While this idiom describes rough seas in formal or literary contexts, it is frequently used in casual Cantonese as a double entendre to describe a woman with a large bust. This pun relies on the slang term 波 for breasts, turning a descriptive phrase about nature into a suggestive comment about physical appearance. Be aware that using it in the latter sense can be perceived as objectifying or rude depending on the social setting.
Examples
The sea is turbulent during a typhoon, it is very dangerous.
He described that girl as having a very curvy figure.
Related words
Common phrases
the sea is roaring and surging
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a person's personality or general mood, as it is strictly reserved for physical descriptions of water or anatomy. Using it to describe a person's temper would be confusing and incorrect.
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.
