cang4 ging1 cong1 hoi2曾經滄海曾经沧海
Jyutpingcang4 ging1 cong1 hoi2
Yalechàhng gīng chōng hói
Definition
Having experienced great trials, changes, or the vicissitudes of life.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom originates from a poem by Yuan Zhen, where it describes a love so profound that other experiences pale in comparison. In modern Cantonese, it has evolved to describe someone who has seen so much of the world or endured such significant life changes that they remain calm and unmoved by minor setbacks. It carries a sense of worldly wisdom and emotional maturity.
Examples
He has been through so many storms; he has truly seen it all.
Related words
Common phrases
Once you have seen the vast ocean, other waters are not worth looking at.
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of travel or geography. It is strictly used to describe a person's depth of life experience or their resilience in the face of adversity.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
