ci2 hei2 bei2 fuk6此起彼伏

Jyutpingci2 hei2 bei2 fuk6

Yalechí héi béi fuhk

語句

Definition

To rise on one side and fall on the other; describing things happening or appearing one after another continuously.

neutraldescriptions

How it's used

This idiom is used to describe a series of events or sounds that happen in succession, creating a sense of continuous, overlapping activity. It is often applied to auditory experiences like cheering, singing, or even waves crashing. While it sounds slightly more formal than everyday slang, it is frequently used in news reports or descriptive storytelling to paint a vivid picture of a bustling environment.

Examples

jin6現coeng4場zoeng2掌sing1聲ci2此hei2起bei2彼fuk6伏，hei3氣fan1氛hou2好jit6熱lit6烈。

Applause rose and fell continuously at the scene, the atmosphere was very lively.

Common phrases

zoeng2掌sing1聲ci2此hei2起bei2彼fuk6伏

applause rising and falling continuously

giu3叫seng1聲ci2此hei2起bei2彼fuk6伏

shouts rising and falling one after another

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple synonym of 'frequent' or 'many'. It specifically requires the sense of alternating or overlapping waves of action, rather than just a high volume of something happening at once.