saang1 zi1 maau1生螆貓生螆猫
Jyutpingsaang1 zi1 maau1
Yalesāang jī māau
Definition
A cat with fleas, or a mange-infested cat.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This expression is almost exclusively used within the phrase 生螆貓入眼 to describe an intense, sudden, and often irrational attraction to someone. The imagery suggests a cat that has been bothered by fleas suddenly finding relief or focus when something catches its eye, implying the person is completely captivated. It carries a slightly playful or teasing tone when pointing out someone's infatuation.
Examples
The two of them were like a cat with fleas meeting its eyes the moment they saw each other.
Related words
Common phrases
love at first sight
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe actual cats with fleas, as it is a set idiom for human romantic attraction. Using it literally will confuse native speakers who only recognize it as a metaphor for love at first sight.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
