laang5 bat1 fong4冷不防

Jyutpinglaang5 bat1 fong4

Yaleláahng bāt fòhng

副詞Uncommon

Definition

Suddenly and quietly, taking someone by surprise.

colloquialdaily actionspeople

How it's used

This expression captures the specific feeling of someone doing something unexpected while maintaining a quiet or low profile. It is frequently used to describe actions that catch others off guard because there was no prior indication or noise. Unlike a simple sudden action, it implies a deliberate lack of warning or a stealthy approach.

Common phrases

m4唔seng1聲m4唔seng1聲haak3嚇sei2死jan4人

to scare someone by doing something suddenly and quietly

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple adverb of time like suddenly, but it specifically emphasizes the lack of communication or sound before the action occurs. It is not used for sudden events that are loud or chaotic, such as a sudden explosion.