faan1 tin1 fuk1 dei6翻天覆地
Jyutpingfaan1 tin1 fuk1 dei6
Yalefāan tīn fūk deih
Definition
Earth-shaking; bringing about a drastic or momentous change.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Emphasize the sheer scale of a transformation by using this idiom to describe situations where the current state is unrecognizable compared to the past. It is frequently paired with the particle 咁 to function as an adverbial phrase describing the manner of change. While it sounds slightly more formal than everyday slang, it is perfectly natural in casual conversation when discussing major life events or urban development.
Examples
He has changed drastically over these few years.
Do you think this place has undergone earth-shaking changes?
Related words
Common phrases
earth-shaking changes
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor or superficial changes, as it implies a total, fundamental overhaul of the entire situation. It is not interchangeable with simple adjectives like 唔同 or 變咗好多.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
