mong6 ji4 koek3 bou6望而卻步望而却步

Jyutpingmong6 ji4 koek3 bou6

Yalemohng yìh keuk bouh

語句

Definition

To shrink back or hesitate to move forward in the face of danger or difficulty.

writtendescriptionsother

How it's used

This idiom describes a psychological reaction where one feels intimidated by an external factor like cost, difficulty, or danger. It is frequently used in formal writing or news reports to describe market trends or public opinion, though it is also understood in spoken Cantonese. It carries a sense of rational hesitation rather than simple cowardice.

Examples

gin3見dou2到go3個gaa3價cin4錢gam3咁gwai3貴，hou2好do1多jan4人dou1都mong6望ji4而koek3卻bou6步。

Seeing the price is so expensive, many people are deterred.

min6面deoi3對gam3咁gou1高naan4難dou6度koi3嘅tiu1挑zin3戰，nei5你hai6係mai1咪wui2會mong6望ji4而koek3卻bou6步aa1呀？

Facing such a difficult challenge, will you be deterred?

Common phrases

mong6望ji4而koek3卻bou6步

to make people feel intimidated/deterred

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple verb meaning to be afraid, but it specifically implies a reaction to an external obstacle that makes one stop or turn back. It is not used for internal fears like being afraid of the dark.