fuk6 bing1伏兵
Jyutpingfuk6 bing1
Yalefuhk bīng
Definition
Ambush; a strategic military deployment of hidden troops waiting to surprise and attack an enemy.
neutralother
How it's used
Beyond the literal military context, this term is frequently used metaphorically in daily life to describe hidden traps or unexpected obstacles. It often appears in gaming or sports contexts when a player is waiting in a concealed spot to surprise an opponent. The term carries a sense of strategic patience and impending danger.
Examples
They hid ambushers on the hill, planning a surprise attack.
The terrain is so complex here, could there be an ambush?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the slang term 伏, which is used as an adjective or verb to describe something that is a bad deal, a trap, or a disappointing experience. While 伏兵 involves a literal or strategic ambush, 伏 is much broader and refers to anything that turns out to be a waste of time or money.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
