dap1 tau4 dap1 nou5耷頭耷腦耷头耷脑
Jyutpingdap1 tau4 dap1 nou5
Yaledāp tàuh dāp nóuh
Definition
Dejected and depressed; hanging one's head in disappointment or low spirits.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
This idiom vividly captures a physical posture where the head hangs low and the shoulders slump, reflecting an internal state of low spirits or lack of energy. It is specifically used to describe someone who looks defeated or discouraged rather than just tired. The reduplicated structure adds a sense of emphasis, highlighting that the person's entire demeanor is affected by their mood.
Examples
Why is he looking so dejected?
Seeing him looking so down, he must be unhappy.
Related words
Common phrases
to be dejected all day long
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply physically sleepy or nodding off, as it specifically implies an emotional state of dejection or lack of confidence.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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).
