fei1 saa1 zau2 sek6飛砂走石飞砂走石
Jyutpingfei1 saa1 zau2 sek6
Yalefēi sā jáu sehk
Definition
A violent, raging wind that blows sand and rolls pebbles; by extension, a disorderly and chaotic situation.
- a violent and raging wind
- figurativedisorderly and chaotic
writtenweatherdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is primarily used to describe extreme weather conditions, specifically powerful gales that kick up dust and debris. While it can metaphorically describe chaotic situations, it is most evocative when referring to the physical intensity of a storm. Native speakers often use it to emphasize the sheer force of nature rather than just general disorder.
Examples
It is dangerous outside when the wind is so strong that sand and stones are flying everywhere during a typhoon.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe general messiness or social chaos, as it specifically carries the imagery of wind-driven debris. In non-weather contexts, it can sound overly dramatic or literary.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
