ngaan5 baak6 baak6眼白白

Jyutpingngaan5 baak6 baak6

Yalengáahn baahk baahk

副詞Common

Definition

Helplessly; forced to look on and watch something undesirable happen without being able to do anything.

colloquialemotiondaily actions

How it's used

This expression vividly captures the feeling of being a passive observer to an unfortunate event. It implies a sense of frustration or guilt because the subject is physically present and aware of the situation but lacks the power or means to intervene. It is almost exclusively used in negative contexts involving loss, failure, or injustice.

Examples

keoi5佢ngaan5眼baak6白baak6白tai2睇zyu6住di1啲cin2錢bei2俾jan4人aak3呃zau2走。

He helplessly watched his money get swindled away.

naan4難dou6道nei5你jiu3要ngo5我ngaan5眼baak6白baak6白tai2睇zyu6住keoi5佢zap1執lap1笠me1咩？

Do you expect me to just stand by and watch his business go bust?

Common phrases

ngaan5眼baak6白baak6白tai2睇zyu6住

to helplessly watch

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of eyes, but it is strictly an adverbial phrase describing a state of helplessness. Do not use it to describe someone who is simply staring or looking at something without a negative outcome involved.