faat3 jyun5 tai4發軟蹄发软蹄
Jyutpingfaat3 jyun5 tai4
Yalefaat yúhn tàih
Definition
To go weak at the knees; to have knees too weak to support the upper body.
colloquialbodyemotion
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the physical sensation of losing strength in the legs due to intense fear, shock, or exhaustion. It is almost exclusively used to describe a sudden, involuntary reaction rather than a chronic medical condition. While it literally references the hooves of an animal, it is applied naturally to humans in casual conversation.
Examples
I went weak at the knees the moment I saw that big dog.
Related words
Common phrases
scared until one's knees go weak
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe general tiredness or muscle weakness after exercise, as it specifically implies a sudden loss of control caused by an emotional trigger.
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.
