daa2 zoek3 gam2 ngaan5打雀咁眼

Jyutpingdaa2 zoek3 gam2 ngaan5

Yaledá jeuk gám ngáahn

Definition

To look intently and fixatedly, or to gawk with absolute concentration.

colloquialdescriptionspeople

How it's used

This idiom vividly captures the image of a birdwatcher or a predator locked onto its target, implying a level of focus that borders on being unblinking or overly intense. It is frequently used to describe someone who is staring at a screen, a person, or an object with such absorption that they become oblivious to their surroundings. While it can describe genuine concentration, it is often used in a slightly teasing or critical way to point out that someone is being a bit too intense or gawking.

Examples

keoi5佢daa2打zoek3雀gam2咁ngaan5眼mong6望zyu6住go3個din6電si6視，lin4連ngo5我jap6入zo2咗lai4嚟dou1都m4唔zi1知。

He was staring intently at the TV and didn't even notice I walked in.

nei5你zou6做me1咩daa2打zoek3雀gam2咁ngaan5眼mong6望zyu6住ngo5我aa4呀？ngo5我faai3塊min6面jau5有je5嘢me1咩？

Why are you staring at me so fixatedly? Is there something on my face?

Common phrases

daa2打zoek3雀gam2咁ngaan5眼mong6望

to stare fixatedly

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply looking at something. It implies a sustained, fixated gaze, so it is inappropriate to use when describing a quick glance or a casual look.