dat6 jyu4 kei4 loi4突如其來突如其来
Jyutpingdat6 jyu4 kei4 loi4
Yaledaht yùh kèih lòih
Definition
Sudden and unexpected; happening completely out of the blue without any warning.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Often used to describe events that disrupt a normal routine or catch people off guard. While it functions as an idiom, it is frequently treated as an adverbial phrase by adding 嘅 when modifying a noun. It carries a slightly more formal or dramatic tone than simply using 突然.
Examples
His sudden appearance scared me.
Why did you suddenly decide you want to go on a trip?
Related words
Common phrases
sudden news
sudden change
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use it to describe minor, everyday changes, but it is better reserved for significant or surprising events. It is not a direct replacement for 突然 in every context, as it implies a sense of shock or lack of preparation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
