daam2 zeng3 meng6 peng4膽正命平胆正命平
Definition
Daring and reckless, having the courage to take extreme risks without fearing for one's own life.
How it's used
This idiom describes someone who is fearless to the point of recklessness, often implying a disregard for personal safety in pursuit of a goal or out of sheer boldness. While it carries a nuance of admiration for courage, it is frequently used in a cautionary way to describe someone who takes unnecessary risks. It is a very specific, culturally grounded expression that captures a sense of 'gutsy' behavior that goes beyond simple bravery.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a purely positive trait, but it frequently carries a negative implication of being foolhardy or lacking common sense. It is not used to describe calculated bravery but rather a reckless, devil-may-care attitude.
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.
