maang1 gan2繃緊绷紧
Jyutpingmaang1 gan2
Yalemāang gán
Definition
Tense, tight, or stretched very tightly, especially of one's face or facial expression.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
Describes a state of extreme tension, often used metaphorically for facial expressions or physical objects like ropes and elastic bands. When applied to a person, it implies they are looking stressed, serious, or unapproachable. It carries a sense of rigidity that suggests something is at its breaking point.
Examples
The rubber band is stretched so tight it is about to snap.
Related words
Common phrases
to be on edge
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe abstract mental stress where 緊張 is the standard choice. 繃緊 specifically focuses on the physical manifestation of tension or the literal stretching of a material.
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.
