maa4 lan2 faan4麻撚煩麻撚烦
Jyutpingmaa4 lan2 faan4
Yalemàh lán fàahn
Definition
An absolute pain in the neck; extremely troublesome or annoying.
slangemotionvulgar
How it's used
This is a vulgar intensifier of the common adjective 麻煩. Inserting the expletive 撚 directly into the middle of the word is a classic Cantonese morphological process for adding extreme emphasis or frustration. It is highly informal and should be avoided in any professional or polite setting.
Examples
This report is a real pain in the ass.
Why did you make things so effing complicated?
Related words
Common phrases
really effing annoying
made things effing complicated
Common mistake
Do not use this in front of strangers, elders, or in a workplace, as it is considered offensive and aggressive. It is strictly for use among close friends or when expressing intense annoyance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
