fai3 tang4沸騰沸腾
Jyutpingfai3 tang4
Yalefai tàhng
Definition
To boil over, erupt, or become highly impassioned.
- boiling; bubbling up
- figurativeto boil over; to erupt with impassioned opinions or grievances
neutralemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Primarily used to describe intense, collective emotional states or social unrest rather than literal physical boiling. It carries a strong sense of urgency and volatility, often implying that a situation is about to reach a breaking point. While it can be used in formal writing, it is also frequently heard in news reports or dramatic storytelling to describe public sentiment.
Examples
Seeing the result, the whole crowd erupted with emotion.
Everyone's dissatisfaction with this matter has already reached a boiling point.
Related words
Common phrases
public grievances reach a boiling point
emotions running high
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical liquids heating up, as that is typically expressed with 滾 or 煲滾. Using it for water sounds overly dramatic or poetic rather than descriptive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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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.
