paa3 si6怕事
Jyutpingpaa3 si6
Yalepa sih
Definition
To be afraid of getting into trouble or causing problems; timid and risk-averse.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes a personality trait characterized by a desire to avoid conflict or potential complications at all costs. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the person lacks courage or is overly passive when facing challenges. While it can describe a temporary reaction to a specific situation, it is most frequently used to label someone as generally timid or conflict-averse.
Examples
He is a timid person who is afraid to speak up about anything.
Don't be so afraid of trouble in life; sometimes you need to stand your ground.
Related words
Common phrases
timid and overcautious
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 驚, which simply means to be afraid of something specific like spiders or heights. 怕事 specifically refers to the fear of social, legal, or interpersonal trouble, not a phobia or general fear.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
