hak1 maa1 maa1黑麻麻
Jyutpinghak1 maa1 maa1
Yalehāk mā mā
Definition
Pitch-black; pitch-dark; extremely dark.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Reduplication with the suffix 麻麻 adds a vivid, descriptive intensity to the base color. It implies a sense of gloom or an unsettling lack of visibility rather than just a neutral absence of light. You will often hear it used to complain about poorly lit environments or to describe the atmosphere of a scary place.
Examples
The room is pitch dark, please turn on the light.
Related words
Common phrases
a pitch-black expanse
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe the color black in a general sense, such as a black shirt or black ink. It is strictly reserved for environments or spaces that are dark due to lack of lighting.
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.
