jat1 tau4 jin1一頭煙一头烟
Jyutpingjat1 tau4 jin1
Yaleyāt tàuh yīn
Definition
Flustered, confused, or extremely busy; overwhelmed and at a loss for what to do.
colloquialemotionwork
How it's used
Literally meaning a head full of smoke, this expression vividly captures the feeling of being frazzled or mentally scattered. It is frequently used when someone is juggling too many tasks at once or when a situation has become unnecessarily complicated. Unlike simply being busy, it implies a lack of clarity or a sense of being overwhelmed by chaos.
Examples
I have been so busy with work lately that I am completely overwhelmed.
You have left me totally confused, what exactly do you want?
Related words
Common phrases
busy to the point of being overwhelmed
to cause someone to be confused or flustered
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical smoke or literal confusion from a fire. It is strictly a metaphorical way to express mental overload or being flustered by a messy situation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
