ok3 sing3 ceon4 waan4惡性循環恶性循环

Jyutpingok3 sing3 ceon4 waan4

Yaleok sing chèuhn wàahn

名詞

Definition

Vicious cycle; a chain of events in which each stage worsens the next.

neutraldescriptionsother

How it's used

This term is used to describe situations where negative factors reinforce each other, leading to a downward spiral. It is frequently applied in discussions about social issues, personal habits, or economic problems. Unlike some abstract concepts, it is almost always paired with the verb 打破 when someone is trying to stop the cycle.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋ham6陷jap6入zo2咗jat1一go3個ok3惡sing3性ceon4循waan4環，dim2點joeng2樣dou1都zau2走m4唔ceot1出lai4嚟。

They have fallen into a vicious cycle and cannot get out no matter what.

dim2點joeng2樣sin1先ho2可ji5以daa2打po3破ni1呢go3個ok3惡sing3性ceon4循waan4環aa4呀？

How can we break this vicious cycle?

Common phrases

daa2打po3破ok3惡sing3性ceon4循waan4環

break a vicious cycle

ham6陷jap6入ok3惡sing3性ceon4循waan4環

fall into a vicious cycle

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use it to describe any repetitive negative event, but it specifically requires a causal link where each stage makes the next one worse. It is not simply a repetitive bad situation.