ng6 jap6 kei4 tou4誤入歧途误入歧途
Jyutpingng6 jap6 kei4 tou4
Yalengh yahp kèih tòuh
Definition
To go or be led astray; to take the wrong path and start doing bad things.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, serious tone often used in formal warnings or when discussing someone's life trajectory. It implies a sense of regret or moral failure, suggesting that the person has strayed from a socially acceptable or righteous path due to external influence or poor judgment. It is rarely used in lighthearted or casual banter.
Examples
He went astray when he was young, it is such a pity.
How can you stop him from going down the wrong path?
Related words
Common phrases
unfortunately went astray
prevent from going astray
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple physical direction error, but it is strictly reserved for moral or life-path deviations. Do not use it to describe getting lost on the street or taking a wrong turn while driving.
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.
