ngan3䟴
Jyutpingngan3
Yalengan
Definition
To shake, jiggle, or vibrate; to make small, continuous movements.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on repetitive, small, and often involuntary movements of the body parts, most commonly the legs. It carries a slightly negative connotation because it is often perceived as a sign of impatience, anxiety, or a lack of manners in formal settings. While it can describe other objects vibrating, it is almost exclusively used for human body movements in daily speech.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to shake one's legs
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 震, which implies a more intense, full body shaking or trembling due to fear or cold. Use 䟴 for the specific habit of bouncing one's leg while seated.
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.
