po3 tin1 fong1破天荒

Jyutpingpo3 tin1 fong1

Yalepo tīn fōng

形容詞

Definition

Unprecedented; happening for the very first time.

neutraldescriptions

How it's used

Focuses on the shock or novelty of an event that breaks a long-standing pattern or tradition. It is often used to emphasize that something is completely out of character for the person or organization involved. While it implies a first-time occurrence, it carries a stronger sense of drama than simply saying 第一次.

Examples

keoi5佢po3破tin1天fong1荒ceng2請ngo5我sik6食faan6飯，zan1真hai6係taai3太joeng4陽jau4由sai1西bin1邊ceot1出aa4呀。

He treated me to a meal for the first time ever; the sun must be rising from the west.

gam1今ci3次hai6係keoi5佢po3破tin1天fong1荒ci4遲dou3到，ping4平si4時keoi5佢hou2好zeon2準si4時㗎。

This is the first time he has ever been late; he is usually very punctual.

Common phrases

po3破tin1天fong1荒dai6第jat1一ci3次

the very first time in history

Common mistake

Avoid using this for trivial or routine first-time events, such as trying a new restaurant or buying a new shirt. It should be reserved for significant or surprising deviations from established norms.