ging1 ngaa6驚訝惊讶
Jyutpingging1 ngaa6
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Definition
Surprised, amazed, or astonished by something unexpected.
neutralemotion
How it's used
Expressing surprise in casual Cantonese often relies on more visceral or descriptive phrases rather than this formal term. While perfectly understandable, it carries a slightly literary or written tone that feels less natural in relaxed, everyday conversation. Native speakers typically prefer using 嚇親 or 估唔到 to convey the same feeling of being taken aback.
Examples
He was very surprised when he heard the news.
Why are you so surprised?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe being physically startled or scared, as it specifically refers to intellectual or emotional surprise. If you are physically frightened by a loud noise or a sudden movement, use 嚇親 instead.
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.
