mun6 mun6 bat1 lok6悶悶不樂闷闷不乐
Jyutpingmun6 mun6 bat1 lok6
Yalemuhn muhn bāt lohk
Definition
Melancholy, depressed, or in low spirits.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
This idiom describes a state of being visibly unhappy or troubled, often implying that the person is quiet or withdrawn rather than openly crying. It is frequently used to describe someone who is brooding over a specific worry or disappointment. While it is a four character idiom, it fits naturally into casual speech when you want to express concern for someone's mood.
Examples
He is always in low spirits, as if he has something on his mind.
Related words
Common phrases
to be in low spirits all day
to look upset
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective like 唔開心, but it carries a stronger sense of lingering, internal melancholy rather than just a temporary bad mood. Avoid using it to describe a situation that is merely boring, as 悶 is used for boredom while 悶悶不樂 is strictly for emotional distress.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
