ngap1 laan6罨爛罨烂
Jyutpingngap1 laan6
Yalengāp laahn
Definition
To cover something up for so long that it rots or spoils.
colloquialhealthbody
How it's used
Focuses on the process of decay caused by trapped heat, moisture, or lack of ventilation. It is most frequently used in medical contexts to describe skin conditions like athlete's foot or infected wounds that have been bandaged for too long. Beyond physical health, it can metaphorically describe things like clothes or food that have spoiled due to being left in a damp, airless environment.
Examples
The wound has festered from being covered too long, go see a doctor quickly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general rotting or decay. It specifically implies that the condition was caused by being covered or trapped, rather than just aging or neglect.
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.
