faat3 wan1 gai1發瘟雞发瘟鸡
Jyutpingfaat3 wan1 gai1
Yalefaat wān gāi
Definition
Silly, dazed, or behaving erratically, like a sick chicken.
- literarysick chicken
- slanga person who is acting crazy, dazed, or in a state of confusion
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
This term is a vivid, slightly derogatory metaphor used to describe someone acting erratically, hyperactively, or unreasonably. It draws on the image of a bird suffering from an avian disease, which causes it to stagger or move uncontrollably. Use it primarily when someone is being loud, disruptive, or making no sense.
Examples
He is running around bumping into things like a crazy person.
Related words
Common phrases
like a headless chicken
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is clinically mentally ill, as it is a casual insult for annoying or bizarre behavior rather than a medical term. It is best reserved for friends or peers in informal settings.
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.
