fung1 jan3封印
Jyutpingfung1 jan3
Yalefūng yan
Definition
To be sealed, blocked, or restrained by a mysterious force.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Originally referring to magical seals in fantasy or folklore, this term is now frequently used in casual conversation to describe someone who is physically stuck or mentally unable to act. It carries a humorous, slightly dramatic tone when applied to mundane situations like being glued to a sofa or a computer screen. It is a common way to tease friends who are being particularly lazy or inactive.
Examples
She is like sealed to her chair, she hasn't moved at all.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical objects being locked or secured with a physical lock, as that would be 鎖住. It is strictly for metaphorical or supernatural contexts.
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.
