jan1 hei2 joek6 kwong4欣喜若狂
Jyutpingjan1 hei2 joek6 kwong4
Yaleyān héi yeuhk kwòhng
Definition
To be wild with joy; ecstatic; overjoyed.
writtenemotiondescriptions
How it's used
This is a formal four character idiom that sounds slightly out of place in casual, everyday speech. While it describes extreme happiness, it is often used with a hint of irony or exaggeration when someone is reacting way too strongly to a minor event. It carries a much stronger intensity than just being happy or excited.
Examples
He was wild with joy after finding out he won the jackpot.
Do you really have to be so over-the-top wild with joy?
Related words
Common phrases
an expression of wild joy
Common mistake
Learners often use this idiom to describe simple happiness, but it is reserved for overwhelming, life changing, or ecstatic moments. Using it for mundane situations makes the speaker sound sarcastic or overly dramatic.
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.
