coeng3 so2 juk6 jin4暢所欲言畅所欲言
Definition
To speak one's mind freely and fully; to talk without any reservation.
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of relief and openness, often used to encourage someone to drop their guard and share their true thoughts. It is frequently employed in settings like team meetings or casual gatherings where the speaker wants to signal that there are no taboos or hierarchy-related pressures. While it is a four-character idiom, it fits naturally into spoken Cantonese because it describes a specific, desirable social atmosphere.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple verb like 講嘢, but it specifically implies a state of being uninhibited or free from social constraints. Using it to describe a casual chat about the weather sounds unnatural, as it is reserved for situations where one's genuine opinions or feelings are being expressed.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
