ngaan5 lai6 lai6眼厲厲眼厉厉
Jyutpingngaan5 lai6 lai6
Yalengáahn laih laih
Definition
Giving a sharp, fierce, or warning glance; staring fiercely to warn or intimidate others.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the intensity of a gaze that conveys disapproval or a threat. It is commonly used to describe someone who is trying to intimidate others or stop them from misbehaving through non-verbal cues. The structure often involves adding 噉 after the phrase to describe the manner of the action.
Examples
He gave me a sharp, warning look, and I shut up immediately.
Why are you staring at people with such a sharp, warning look?
Related words
Common phrases
to stare with a sharp, warning look
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply having big eyes or being observant. It specifically implies a hostile or warning intent, so using it to describe a friendly or curious look would be inappropriate.
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.
