m4 gam2唔敢
Jyutpingm4 gam2
Yalem̀h gám
Definition
To not dare to; to lack the courage to do something.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Expresses a lack of courage or confidence to perform an action due to fear, social pressure, or potential negative consequences. It functions as a modal verb phrase that precedes the main verb. Unlike formal Mandarin expressions, it is frequently used in casual settings to describe hesitation or self-restraint.
Examples
I really don't dare to walk the night road alone.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with 唔想, which means do not want to. While 唔想 implies a lack of desire or interest, 唔敢 specifically implies that the speaker is afraid or intimidated by the outcome of the action.
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.
