bui1 gung1 se4 jing2杯弓蛇影
Jyutpingbui1 gung1 se4 jing2
Yalebūi gūng sèh yíng
Definition
Overly suspicious and easily frightened by false alarms; mistaking a reflection for a real threat.
neutralemotionpeople
How it's used
This idiom describes a state of irrational anxiety where someone perceives threats that do not exist. It is frequently used to criticize people who are overly sensitive or prone to jumping to conclusions based on groundless fears. While it originates from a classical story, it is standard in modern spoken Cantonese to describe someone who is being unnecessarily jittery.
Examples
Don't be so paranoid, nobody is actually targeting you.
He is always overly suspicious, making everyone feel very stressed.
Related words
Common phrases
always being overly suspicious
don't be paranoid
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of someone seeing a snake, but it is strictly used metaphorically for paranoia. It is not used to describe actual caution or being careful, only irrational suspicion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
