maak3 daai6 go3 hau2 dak1 go3 lung1擘大個口得個窿掰大个口得个窿
Jyutpingmaak3 daai6 go3 hau2 dak1 go3 lung1
Yalemaak daaih go háu dāk go lūng
Definition
To open one's mouth wide but remain speechless, often due to surprise or being unable to answer a question.
colloquialemotionbody
How it's used
This phrase vividly captures the image of someone being completely stunned or caught off guard. It is used to describe a state of being speechless, whether from shock, disbelief, or simply not knowing how to respond to a difficult question. The imagery emphasizes the emptiness of the open mouth, highlighting the lack of any verbal reaction.
Examples
Why are you just standing there with your mouth wide open after he asked you that?
Related words
Common phrases
to open one's mouth wide
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply yawning or eating, as the phrase specifically carries the connotation of being mentally stuck or surprised. It is a descriptive idiom for a reaction, not a literal description of physical anatomy.
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.
