ngok3 kang2惡哽恶哽

Jyutpingngok3 kang2

Yalengok káng

Definition

Hard to swallow, stomach, or deal with.

hard to swallow or choke down, usually because food is too dry
figurativedifficult to handle, stomach, or deal with

colloquialemotiondaily actions

How it's used

Literally referring to food that is difficult to swallow or choke on, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe situations, tasks, or people that are unbearable or impossible to accept. It carries a strong sense of internal resistance or psychological discomfort. It is most commonly applied to unfair demands or unpleasant news that one is forced to endure.

Examples

le1呢daan1單saang1生ji3意zan1真hai6係hou3好wu3惡ang2哽。

This business deal is really hard to swallow.

keoi5佢gong2講je5嘢gam3咁naan4難teng1聽，dim2點joeng2樣ngok3惡kang2哽aa4呀？

What he said is so unpleasant, how can I put up with it?

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係ngok3惡kang2哽

really hard to take

hou3好wu3惡ang2哽

very difficult to stomach

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 難食, which specifically refers to the taste of food. 惡哽 is almost exclusively used for abstract situations or interpersonal conflicts rather than literal culinary experiences.