fat1 laang5 fat1 jit6忽冷忽熱忽冷忽热
Jyutpingfat1 laang5 fat1 jit6
Yalefāt láahng fāt yiht
Definition
Alternating between hot and cold; having rapid, unpredictable temperature swings or fluctuating attitudes.
- sudden, drastic swings in temperature or weather
- figurativeunpredictable, fluctuating attitude towards someone; hot and cold
colloquialweatheremotion
How it's used
Beyond describing erratic weather patterns, this phrase is frequently used to characterize someone's inconsistent personality or shifting emotional availability. It captures the frustration of dealing with someone who oscillates between being overly attentive and completely distant. When applied to people, it implies a lack of stability that makes others feel uneasy or confused.
Examples
The weather has been swinging between hot and cold lately, it is easy to get sick.
Their attitude towards me is hot and cold, I really do not know what they are thinking.
Related words
Common phrases
the weather is erratic
attitude is hot and cold
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a purely meteorological term, but using it to describe a person's behavior is just as common and natural in daily conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
