cai1 wong4悽惶凄惶

Jyutpingcai1 wong4

Yalechāi wòhng

Definition

Sad, fearful, and distressed, often due to hardship or misfortune.

writtenemotiondescriptions

How it's used

This term captures a specific blend of sorrow and anxiety, often used to describe a state of being overwhelmed by misfortune or a bleak situation. It carries a literary weight that makes it sound more dramatic or poetic than everyday words for sadness. You will frequently encounter it in written descriptions of hardship or when someone is expressing deep, existential concern about their future.

Examples

keoi5佢gin3見dou2到go3個coeng4場min2面gam3咁cai1悽wong4惶，jan2忍m4唔zyu6住haam3喊zo2咗ceot1出lai4嚟。

Seeing such a tragic and fearful scene, she couldn't help but cry.

nei5你sai2使mat1乜gam3咁cai1悽wong4惶aa4呀，daai6大baa2把lou6路haang4行㗎。

Why are you so distressed and fearful? There are plenty of other ways forward.

Common phrases

cai1悽wong4惶mou4無zo6助

sad, fearful, and helpless

san4神cing4情cai1悽wong4惶

looking sad and terrified

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common adjective like 傷心 or 驚, but it is much more specific to a sense of tragic helplessness. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences or simple embarrassment, as it implies a level of gravity that would sound overly theatrical in casual conversation.