cung1 hung4 dang1衝紅燈冲红灯
Jyutpingcung1 hung4 dang1
Yalechūng hùhng dāng
Definition
To run a red light; to cross a street or drive through an intersection when the traffic light is red.
colloquialtransportdaily actions
How it's used
This phrase is used for both drivers and pedestrians who ignore traffic signals. While it is a common expression for traffic violations, it is also used metaphorically in casual speech to describe someone who acts recklessly or ignores clear warnings. It carries a strong sense of disapproval or shock when used to describe someone else's behavior.
Examples
Why did you run the red light? It's so dangerous!
He was in a rush and ran the red light, so he ended up getting fined.
Related words
Common phrases
fined for running a red light
jaywalking through a red light
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply crossing the road. The emphasis is specifically on the illegal or dangerous act of ignoring the red signal, rather than the act of crossing the street itself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
