dit3 dit3 zong6 zong6跌跌撞撞
Jyutpingdit3 dit3 zong6 zong6
Yaledit dit johng johng
Definition
To stumble along or stagger around unsteadily, as if about to fall.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
This phrase vividly captures the visual of someone struggling to maintain balance while moving. It is frequently used to describe toddlers just finding their feet or adults who have consumed too much alcohol. The addition of 噉 after the phrase is essential to link it to the verb describing the movement.
Examples
He was drunk and staggered all the way home.
The toddler is learning to walk, staggering around so cutely.
Related words
Common phrases
to walk in a staggering manner
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply clumsy or drops things often. It specifically refers to the physical act of staggering or stumbling while walking, rather than general lack of coordination.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
