bou6 fung1 zuk3 jing2捕風捉影捕风捉影
Jyutpingbou6 fung1 zuk3 jing2
Yalebouh fūng juk yíng
Definition
To make groundless accusations; to chase wind and clutch at shadows; to speculate without evidence.
neutralcommunicationpeople
How it's used
This idiom is used to criticize someone for acting on rumors or suspicions that have absolutely no factual basis. It carries a strong sense of disapproval, implying that the person is being paranoid or intentionally stirring up trouble. It is often paired with verbs like 鍾意 or 成日 to describe a habitual tendency to gossip.
Examples
Stop making groundless accusations all the time, that thing never happened at all.
He is always chasing shadows and making things up, which makes everyone's relationship very bad.
Related words
Common phrases
likes to make groundless accusations
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of hunting or physical activity. It is strictly figurative and should only be used to describe someone's mental process or verbal accusations, not actual physical tasks.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
