pin3 gaap3 bat1 cyun4片甲不存
Jyutpingpin3 gaap3 bat1 cyun4
Yalepin gaap bāt chyùhn
Definition
Completely wiped out; not a single piece of armor left.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Originating from classical military terminology, this idiom describes a situation where absolutely nothing is left behind after a disaster or defeat. While it retains a formal or literary flavor, it is frequently used in modern Cantonese to describe extreme outcomes, such as losing all one's money in gambling or a total destruction of property. It carries a sense of finality and severity that goes beyond simple loss.
Examples
The fire was so intense that the house was completely wiped out in the end.
They lost everything completely, it is really miserable.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe minor losses or partial damage. It is reserved for total, irreversible annihilation or complete depletion of resources.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
