gwan2 seoi2 luk6 goek3滾水淥腳滚水渌脚
Jyutpinggwan2 seoi2 luk6 goek3
Yalegwán séui luhk geuk
Definition
To leave a place in a great hurry, as if one's feet were scalded by boiling water.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom vividly captures the frantic, almost panicked pace of someone who needs to depart immediately. It is most commonly used to describe someone leaving a location abruptly rather than just moving quickly in general. The imagery of scalding water on the feet emphasizes the involuntary, reflexive nature of the speed.
Examples
He left in a huge hurry as soon as he finished the work.
Why are you in such a rush?
Related words
Common phrases
to leave in a great hurry
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply fast or efficient at a task. It specifically implies a sense of urgency or being late, often resulting in a somewhat chaotic or clumsy departure.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
