fat1 zau6 ji4 heoi3拂袖而去
Jyutpingfat1 zau6 ji4 heoi3
Yalefāt jauh yìh heui
Definition
To leave in a huff; to storm off angrily or in a sulk.
writtenemotiondaily actions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of dramatic, indignant departure, often implying that the person feels insulted or deeply dissatisfied. It is more formal and literary than everyday speech, so using it in casual conversation adds a layer of theatrical emphasis or sarcasm. It describes the physical act of swinging one's sleeves while turning away, which visually captures the suddenness and pride behind the exit.
Examples
He was so angry after hearing that, he stormed off.
Related words
Common phrases
to storm off in a fit of rage
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say someone left, but it specifically requires an element of anger or offended pride. If someone just leaves because they are busy or tired, this phrase would be inappropriate and confusing to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



