mou4 beng6 san1 jam4無病呻吟无病呻吟
Jyutpingmou4 beng6 san1 jam4
Yalemòuh behng sān yàhm
Definition
To complain, sigh, or lament without cause; to make a fuss about nothing.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This idiom describes someone who acts distressed or overly dramatic about their life when they actually have no genuine problems. It carries a strong sense of annoyance from the speaker, implying that the person is just seeking attention or being unnecessarily pessimistic. It is frequently used to criticize people who post overly emotional or poetic complaints on social media.
Examples
Your life is so happy, stop acting like you're suffering for no reason.
He is always complaining about nothing, it gets annoying after hearing it so much.
Related words
Common phrases
always complaining about nothing
don't act like you're suffering for no reason
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is actually suffering from a mental health issue, as it is dismissive and implies the person is faking their distress. It is strictly for situations where the person is perceived as having a comfortable life but choosing to be miserable.
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.
