haai5 jan4 ting1 man4駭人聽聞骇人听闻
Jyutpinghaai5 jan4 ting1 man4
Yaleháaih yàhn tīng màhn
Definition
Shocking; horrifying; appalling to hear.
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How it's used
This idiom is primarily used in formal contexts, such as news reports or serious discussions about crime and tragedy. While it describes something shocking, it specifically refers to the reaction of hearing about an event, emphasizing the visceral impact of the information itself.
Examples
This news story is truly horrifying.
Related words
Common phrases
a horrifying crime
shocking news
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor inconveniences or personal surprises, as it is reserved for grave, serious, or criminal matters. It is not a casual way to say something is just surprising or unexpected.
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.
