lei4 hoeng1 bit6 zeng2離鄉別井离乡别井
Jyutpinglei4 hoeng1 bit6 zeng2
Yalelèih hēung biht jéng
Definition
To leave one's hometown or place of origin for an unfamiliar place, often with reluctance.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong emotional weight, specifically highlighting the hardship and sense of displacement involved in moving away. It is rarely used for casual relocation, such as moving to a different district for convenience, but rather for significant life changes like emigration or moving to a distant city for work. Using it adds a layer of poignancy to the speaker's situation.
Examples
To make a living, he had no choice but to leave his hometown and work abroad.
Why did you have to leave your hometown and go to such a far-away place?
Related words
Common phrases
forced to leave one's hometown
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for any act of moving house, but it specifically implies leaving one's roots or home region behind. It is inappropriate to use this for a simple move within the same city.
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.
