mun5 muk6 cong1 ji4滿目瘡痍满目疮痍
Jyutpingmun5 muk6 cong1 ji4
Yalemúhn muhk chōng yìh
Definition
A scene of complete devastation and ruin meeting the eye everywhere.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is reserved for describing severe, widespread destruction, such as the aftermath of a natural disaster, war, or a major accident. It carries a heavy, somber tone and is not used for minor messes or everyday untidiness. Because it is a formal four-character idiom, it is more commonly found in news reports or written accounts than in casual daily conversation.
Examples
After the big fire, the whole village was left in ruins.
Seeing the devastation in the disaster area really breaks my heart.
Common phrases
a scene of total devastation
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe a messy room or a cluttered desk. It is far too dramatic for such contexts and should only be applied to scenes of significant, tragic destruction.
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.
