mak6驀蓦
Jyutpingmak6
Yalemahk
Definition
To leap on or over, or to happen abruptly and suddenly.
- to leap on or over; to ascend
- literaryabruptly; suddenly; unexpectedly
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in the formal compound 驀然, which describes something happening suddenly or unexpectedly. It carries a slightly literary or dramatic tone, often used in writing or storytelling rather than casual conversation. You will rarely see it used as a standalone verb in modern Cantonese.
Examples
He suddenly stood up and left.
Why did you suddenly disappear all of a sudden?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 突然, but 驀然 carries a more poetic or reflective nuance, often implying a moment of sudden realization or a shift in atmosphere.
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).
