ming4 lok6 syun1 saan1名落孫山名落孙山
Jyutpingming4 lok6 syun1 saan1
Yalemìhng lohk syūn sāan
Definition
To fail an examination or perform very poorly in it.
colloquialschool
How it's used
This idiom originates from a historical anecdote about a candidate named Sun Shan who placed last on the list of successful examinees. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite its common usage in daily life to describe academic or competitive failure. It is often used to soften the blow of bad news by using a culturally recognized idiom rather than blunt language.
Examples
He failed the exam this time and is in a bad mood.
Why are you afraid of failing? Just work harder next time.
Related words
Common phrases
to fail an examination
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for losing a game or competition, but it is specifically tied to academic or professional examinations and rankings. It is not used for losing a sports match or a casual bet.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
