fo2 joek6火藥火药
Jyutpingfo2 joek6
Yalefó yeuhk
Definition
Gunpowder; explosives.
neutralotheremotion
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of explosive powder, the term is frequently used metaphorically to describe a volatile or hostile social situation. When people say someone has a lot of fire in them or that a room is full of gunpowder, they are referring to an impending argument or a very tense emotional state. It captures the feeling of a situation that is ready to explode at the slightest provocation.
Examples
The gunpowder here is very dangerous, don't touch it randomly.
The atmosphere is very tense whenever the two of them meet.
Related words
Common phrases
smell of gunpowder; tense atmosphere
powder magazine; powder keg
Common mistake
Do not confuse the literal substance with the metaphorical use, as native speakers often use the phrase 火藥味 to describe the tension between people rather than the actual presence of explosives.
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.
