din1顛颠
Jyutpingdin1
Yaledīn
Definition
Insane or mentally unbalanced; also to jolt, bump, or shake.
- insane; crazy; mentally unbalanced
- to jolt; to bump; to shake up and down
- the top of the head; crown; peak
- to fall forwards; to stumble; to tumble
colloquialdescriptionsbody
How it's used
When used as an adjective, it describes someone acting irrationally or behaving in a wild, unpredictable manner. In a physical sense, it captures the sensation of being tossed about or shaken, such as when riding in a vehicle over rough terrain. It is a very versatile term that shifts easily between describing mental states and physical movements.
Examples
He seems to have gone crazy, talking to himself all the time.
The car jolted very violently while driving on the mountain road.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 癲, which is the standard character used for 'crazy' or 'insane' in modern Cantonese. While 顛 is sometimes used interchangeably in informal writing, 癲 is the preferred choice for describing mental instability or excitement.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
