diu3 jan5吊癮吊瘾

Jyutpingdiu3 jan5

Yalediu yáhn

動詞

Definition

To slightly satisfy a craving to keep the addiction lingering, or to keep someone in suspense.

to slightly satisfy a craving, just enough to keep the addiction lingering
figurativeto keep someone in suspense; to tease or leave someone wanting more

colloquialemotiondaily actions

How it's used

This term captures the specific feeling of being teased by a small dose of something you desire, which only serves to make you want more. It is frequently used in social contexts to describe someone who intentionally withholds information or provides a partial reward to keep others interested. The imagery of hanging an addiction suggests that the craving is left suspended in the air, neither fully satisfied nor completely gone.

Examples

keoi5佢dak6特dang1登lau4留faan1返siu2少siu2少m4唔gong2講，baai2擺ming4明hai6係diu3吊ngo5我jan5癮。

He deliberately left out some details, clearly just to keep me hooked.

sik6食jat1一nap1粒tong4糖diu3吊haa5下jan5癮sin1先，zan6陣gaan1間sin1先sik6食zeng3正caan1餐。

I will have one candy to satisfy the craving a bit before I eat my main meal.

Common phrases

diu3吊jan4人jan5癮

to keep someone hooked

diu3吊haa5下jan5癮

to satisfy a craving just a little bit

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being addicted to something, which is 上癮. 吊癮 specifically focuses on the act of teasing or providing a partial, temporary fix that prolongs the desire.