jan4 mun5 wai4 waan6人滿為患人满为患
Jyutpingjan4 mun5 wai4 waan6
Yaleyàhn múhn wàih waahn
Definition
Overcrowded or overpopulated, where an excess of people causes problems.
neutralplacesdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, implying that the crowd is excessive to the point of causing inconvenience or chaos. It is most commonly used to describe public spaces like tourist spots, hospitals, or transport hubs that have exceeded their capacity. Unlike simple descriptions of a crowd, this term highlights a state of distress or dysfunction caused by the sheer number of people.
Examples
It is overcrowded here on holidays, it is hard to even find a seat.
Why is this shopping mall so overcrowded even on weekdays?
Related words
Common phrases
lead to overcrowding
become overcrowded
Common mistake
Learners often use this to describe a popular restaurant or a lively party, but it is inappropriate for positive contexts. It should be reserved for situations where the crowd is a burden or a problem, not just a sign of popularity.
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.
