paang4 baai3澎湃
Jyutpingpaang4 baai3
Yalepàahng baai
Definition
Surging of waves, or figuratively strong, fierce, and powerful emotions or forces.
- surging; rushing violently (of waves)
- figurativestrong; fierce; violent; powerful (of emotions or forces)
neutralnatureemotion
How it's used
Beyond describing physical waves, this word is frequently used metaphorically to describe intense, overwhelming emotions or a sense of great energy. It carries a sense of grandeur and unstoppable force, making it sound more literary or dramatic than common adjectives for strength. It is often used to describe music, passion, or the feeling of being deeply moved.
Examples
The waves by the sea are so surging.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical strength or power in a mundane sense, as it specifically evokes the imagery of surging water. It is not a direct substitute for strong or powerful in every context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
