cam2 sik6 bat1 on1寢食不安寝食不安
Jyutpingcam2 sik6 bat1 on1
Yalechám sihk bāt ōn
Definition
To feel uneasy even when eating and sleeping; extremely worried and anxious.
writtenemotionhealth
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that carries a literary weight, often used to describe intense anxiety or distress. While it is perfectly understood in spoken Cantonese, it is more commonly encountered in news reports, formal writing, or when someone wants to emphasize the severity of their emotional state. In casual daily speech, people are more likely to use phrases like 擔心到瞓唔着 or 憂心忡忡.
Examples
He is so worried he cannot eat or sleep, and cannot even finish a meal.
Why are you so worried? The matter will be resolved very soon.
Related words
Common phrases
to cause someone to be unable to eat or sleep
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a common verb phrase in casual conversation, but it sounds overly dramatic or stiff in everyday small talk. It is better reserved for situations involving genuine, significant stress.
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.
