jat1 tau4 mou6 seoi2一頭霧水一头雾水
Jyutpingjat1 tau4 mou6 seoi2
Yaleyāt tàuh mouh séui
Definition
Puzzled, confused, and unable to make sense of something.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is frequently used to describe the feeling of being overwhelmed by complex instructions or unclear explanations. It functions as an adjective and is almost always preceded by the verb 聽到, highlighting that the confusion stems from auditory input. It carries a slightly informal tone, making it perfect for describing everyday misunderstandings.
Examples
He finished a long speech, but I was left completely confused.
What are you talking about? I'm honestly totally lost.
Related words
Common phrases
to be left confused after hearing something
completely puzzled
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of being in fog or having a physical head injury. It is strictly used for mental confusion and cannot be used to describe physical weather conditions or actual mist.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
