faan2 zyun3反轉反转
Definition
To turn inside out, upside down, or back to front; to reverse.
How it's used
Beyond the literal act of flipping an object, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe turning a place upside down in search of something. It carries a sense of thoroughness or chaos, implying that every corner has been inspected or disturbed. It is also common in casual speech to describe a sudden, dramatic change in a situation or someone's attitude.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 倒轉, which specifically implies reversing the order or direction of something, such as counting backwards or putting a picture upside down. While they overlap, use 反轉 when you are physically flipping an object over or turning it inside out, and 倒轉 when the orientation or sequence is inverted.
Grammar color guide
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.
