hip3怯
Jyutpinghip3
Yalehip
Definition
Timid, nervous, or fearful; a feeling of apprehension that makes one want to shrink back.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Often used to describe a lack of confidence or a feeling of being intimidated by a situation or a person. It carries a sense of wanting to shrink away or retreat from a challenge. It is distinct from being scared of a physical threat, focusing more on the psychological hesitation to perform or engage.
Examples
Seeing such a big scene, he feels a bit nervous.
Related words
Common phrases
stage fright
Common mistake
Avoid using it to describe being physically afraid of danger, as that is better expressed by 驚. It is specifically about the internal feeling of being overwhelmed or lacking the courage to face a situation.
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.
