cat1 cing4 soeng5 min6七情上面

Jyutpingcat1 cing4 soeng5 min6

Yalechāt chìhng séuhng mihn

Definition

To have an intense, highly expressive facial expression due to being deeply immersed in an activity.

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How it's used

This idiom describes a person whose facial expressions are so vivid and dramatic that they seem to be experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions. It is frequently used to describe someone telling a story, performing on stage, or complaining about something with excessive intensity. While it can be a compliment for a good storyteller, it is often used sarcastically to tease someone for being overly dramatic or theatrical.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講gu3故zai2仔gong2講dou3到cat1七cing4情soeng5上min2面，daai6大gaa1家dou1都teng1聽dak1得hou2好jap6入san4神。

He tells the story with such vivid facial expressions that everyone is listening intently.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使jin2演hei3戲jin2演dou3到cat1七cing4情soeng5上min2面aa4呀？

Do you really need to be so dramatic with your facial expressions while acting?

Common phrases

gong2講dou3到cat1七cing4情soeng5上min2面

to tell a story with vivid facial expressions

jin2演dou3到cat1七cing4情soeng5上min2面

to act with intense, dramatic facial expressions

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of having seven specific emotions, but it is purely an idiomatic way to describe intense, expressive body language. Avoid using it to describe someone who is simply feeling sad or happy; it must specifically refer to the external, visible display on the face.