jat1 hung6 ji4 saan3一哄而散
Jyutpingjat1 hung6 ji4 saan3
Yaleyāt huhng yìh saan
Definition
To disperse in confusion; to scatter all at once in a disorderly manner.
writtenpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This idiom describes a sudden, chaotic departure of a crowd, often implying that the group was up to no good or simply disorganized. It carries a slightly negative or critical tone, suggesting that the people involved lacked discipline or were fleeing from something. It is rarely used to describe a peaceful or orderly exit from a venue.
Examples
People dispersed in a rush as soon as they saw the police coming.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard way to say 'leave' or 'go home', but it specifically implies a lack of order and a sense of panic or avoidance. Do not use it to describe people leaving a cinema or a restaurant after a meal.
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.
