dong1 hak1當黑当黑
Jyutpingdong1 hak1
Yaledōng hāk
Definition
To be unlucky or have bad luck.
colloquialemotionother
How it's used
Describes a specific period of misfortune rather than a permanent state of being an unlucky person. It carries a slightly self-deprecating or frustrated tone, often used when a series of small, annoying events happen in quick succession. It is common to hear it paired with the particle 呀 to emphasize the speaker's disbelief at their own bad luck.
Examples
I have been really unlucky lately, nothing I do goes right.
Are you having a streak of bad luck? Why do you never win the prize?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a person's general character or fate; it is strictly for temporary bad luck or a specific run of poor outcomes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
