paak3 goeng1 gam2 paak3拍薑咁拍拍姜咁拍
Jyutpingpaak3 goeng1 gam2 paak3
Yalepaak gēung gám paak
Definition
To beat someone up severely.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
This idiom vividly compares the act of smashing ginger with the flat side of a cleaver to the physical act of beating someone. It emphasizes the intensity and violence of the assault, suggesting that the victim was left in a battered or crushed state. It is primarily used to describe physical fights or severe corporal punishment.
Examples
He was beaten up really badly.
Related words
Common phrases
beaten to a pulp
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to describe losing a game or performing poorly in a task, as it is strictly reserved for physical violence. It is also quite aggressive and informal, so avoid using it in professional or polite settings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
