nou5 sau1 sing4 nou6惱羞成怒恼羞成怒

Jyutpingnou5 sau1 sing4 nou6

Yalenóuh sāu sìngh nouh

Definition

(idiom) to become enraged over a perceived humiliation

colloquialemotion

How it's used

This idiom describes a specific psychological progression where embarrassment or being proven wrong triggers an aggressive defensive reaction. It is frequently used to call out someone who is lashing out because they cannot handle the truth or a loss of face. Unlike simple anger, it implies the person is actually feeling vulnerable or guilty underneath their outburst.

Examples

keoi5 bei2 jan4 tek3 baau3 zo2 zi1 hau6 nou5 sau1 sing4 nou6 faat3 pei4 hei3

佢俾人踢爆咗之後，惱羞成怒發脾氣。

After he was exposed, he flew into a rage out of shame.

nei5 sai2 m4 sai2 nou5 sau1 sing4 nou6 aa4 gong2 haa5 siu3 ze1

你使唔使惱羞成怒呀？講下笑啫。

Do you have to get so angry? I was just joking.

Common phrases

nou5 sau1 sing4 nou6 faat3 pei4 hei3

惱羞成怒發脾氣

to fly into a rage and lose one's temper out of shame

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for general anger, but it specifically requires the element of shame or embarrassment as the catalyst. Using it to describe someone who is just naturally short-tempered or annoyed by a minor inconvenience is incorrect.