cau3 hei3 fan1 tin1臭氣熏天臭气熏天
Jyutpingcau3 hei3 fan1 tin1
Yalechau hei fān tīn
Definition
Extremely stinky; a stench so foul that it reaches the sky.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe an overwhelming, nauseating stench that fills an entire space. It carries a strong sense of exaggeration and is often used when complaining about poor hygiene or pungent food. While it is a four character idiom, it fits naturally into spoken Cantonese sentences as a descriptive predicate.
Examples
His room is absolutely reeking, I really can't stand it.
Did you leave a piece of stinky tofu here? It smells absolutely awful.
Related words
Common phrases
stinking garbage
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply saying something is smelly, which is usually just 臭. This phrase is reserved for extreme cases where the smell is pervasive and impossible to ignore.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
