caa4 faan6 bat1 si1茶飯不思茶饭不思
Jyutpingcaa4 faan6 bat1 si1
Yalechàh faahn bāt sī
Definition
To be so worried or preoccupied that one loses their appetite for food and drink.
colloquialemotionfood
How it's used
This idiom describes a state of extreme distress or preoccupation where basic physical needs are neglected. It is often used to describe the emotional turmoil caused by heartbreak, intense anxiety, or major life stressors. While it sounds slightly formal due to its four character structure, it is frequently used in casual conversation to emphasize the severity of someone's emotional state.
Examples
He recently went through a breakup and has lost all appetite.
Why have you lost your appetite? Is something on your mind?
Related words
Common phrases
to be driven to the point of losing one's appetite
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.
