faan1 loi4 fuk1 heoi3翻來覆去翻来覆去
Jyutpingfaan1 loi4 fuk1 heoi3
Yalefāan lòih fūk heui
Definition
To repeat; to do something again and again.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom describes an action or topic that keeps circling back to the same point without making any progress. While it can describe physical movement, it is most frequently used to criticize someone for being repetitive in their speech or for wasting time by redoing the same tasks unnecessarily.
Examples
The matter is just being repeated over and over, it is so boring.
Why are you doing the exact same document over and over again?
Related words
Common phrases
to repeat oneself in speech
to overthink or dwell on something
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the literal meaning of tossing and turning in bed, which is also 翻來覆去. Context is key to distinguishing between being unable to sleep and being stuck in a repetitive cycle.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
