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Definition
To stare blankly, zone out, or be in a daze.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Focuses on the state of being mentally absent or staring blankly into space without any specific purpose. It implies a lack of engagement with the immediate environment, often used when someone is caught daydreaming instead of working or listening. While similar to 吽哣, which carries a stronger nuance of being slow-witted or stunned, this term is more neutral and describes the act of zoning out.
Examples
He sits there in a daze all day, no idea what he is thinking about.
Why are you zoning out? Hurry up and help out.
Related words
Common phrases
sitting there in a daze
zoning out all day
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 諗嘢, which implies active thinking or contemplation. Using this word to describe someone who is actually busy thinking will sound like you are accusing them of being unproductive or lazy.
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.
