maang5 jin4猛然
Jyutpingmaang5 jin4
Yalemáahng yìhn
Definition
Suddenly; abruptly.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on a sharp, abrupt change in state or realization, often implying a mental shift or a physical jolt. It feels slightly more dramatic or literary than the common 突然, making it a good choice for storytelling or describing a moment of clarity.
Examples
He suddenly remembered he still had an assignment to do.
Related words
Common phrases
suddenly wake up to the truth
suddenly turn one's head back
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday speech where 突然 or 嚇親 is more natural, as it can sound a bit formal or overly descriptive in standard conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
