faan3 laam6汎濫泛滥
Jyutpingfaan3 laam6
Yalefaan laahm
Definition
To flood, overflow, or spread without restriction.
- to flood; to overflow; to inundate
- figurativeto spread uncontrollably; to run rampant; to go unchecked
writtendescriptionsother
How it's used
Used primarily to describe negative things that have spread uncontrollably, such as misinformation, crime, or waste. While it carries a sense of excess, it is rarely used for literal water flooding in daily speech, where 浸或者水浸 is preferred. It implies a state of being overwhelmed by something undesirable.
Examples
Recently, fake news has been flooding the internet.
The trash here has overflowed to the point where nobody cares.
Related words
Common phrases
information overload
Common mistake
Learners often use it for literal water flooding, but it is almost exclusively used for abstract concepts or negative phenomena. For actual water, use 水浸 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
