gwaan1 tau4關頭关头
Jyutpinggwaan1 tau4
Yalegwāan tàuh
Definition
A critical juncture, crucial moment, or turning point in an event.
neutraltimedescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the intensity of a specific moment or turning point, often implying that the outcome of a situation hangs in the balance. It is frequently paired with adjectives like 緊要 or 關鍵 to emphasize the urgency of the situation. Unlike general words for time, this term carries a sense of gravity and finality.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This is the critical juncture of the whole matter.
Why did you leave at this crucial moment?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 時候, but 關頭 specifically implies a high stakes or decisive moment rather than just a point in time.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
