gwai2 mun4 gwaan1鬼門關鬼门关
Jyutpinggwai2 mun4 gwaan1
Yalegwái mùhn gwāan
Definition
The gate of hell in folk mythology, or a metaphor for a life-threatening situation.
- the gate of hell in Chinese folk belief
- figurativea highly dangerous situation; the brink of death
colloquialpeoplehealth
How it's used
Used metaphorically to describe a life threatening situation or a near death experience. It carries a dramatic tone and is often used when someone has narrowly escaped a fatal accident or a severe medical crisis. While it refers to death, it is frequently used in hyperbolic ways to emphasize the severity of a dangerous moment.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He was so sick this time that he almost stepped into the gates of hell.
You are driving so fast, are you trying to take us to the gates of hell?
Related words
Common phrases
to enter the gates of hell
to walk back out from the gates of hell
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a place that is simply scary or spooky, as it specifically implies a risk of death. It is not a literal description of a graveyard or a haunted house.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
