ceot1 fu4 ji3 liu6出乎意料
Jyutpingceot1 fu4 ji3 liu6
Yalechēut fùh yi liuh
Definition
Beyond expectations; unexpected or unexpectedly.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Functioning as an adverbial phrase, this term describes situations that deviate from a predicted outcome. It is often paired with 咁 or 地 to connect with the following verb or adjective. While it sounds slightly more formal than everyday slang, it is frequently used in both spoken and written Cantonese to add emphasis to a surprising turn of events.
Examples
The matter went unexpectedly smoothly, really lucky.
He came home unexpectedly early and gave me a fright.
Related words
Common phrases
completely beyond expectations
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective, but it requires a connector like 咁 or 地 to modify a verb or adjective effectively. Avoid using it to describe personal feelings of surprise, as it specifically refers to the objective outcome of an event.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
