pung3 coi2碰彩
Jyutpingpung3 coi2
Yalepung chói
Definition
To try one's luck; to leave things to chance.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the element of chance or serendipity when something positive happens unexpectedly. It often implies that the outcome was not planned or earned through skill, but rather a result of favorable circumstances. It is frequently used when describing coincidental encounters or sudden streaks of good fortune.
Examples
I went shopping today and happened to bump into an old classmate by luck.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 撞彩, which is also common but often carries a slightly stronger nuance of taking a gamble or hoping for a lucky break in a situation where the outcome is uncertain.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
