saang1 zi1 maau1 jap6 ngaan5生滋貓入眼生滋猫入眼
Jyutpingsaang1 zi1 maau1 jap6 ngaan5
Yalesāang jī māau yahp ngáahn
Definition
To fall in love at first sight, especially with someone unsuitable.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This idiom describes an irrational, sudden, and often shallow attraction that blinds a person to reality. It carries a sense of judgment, implying the person is acting foolishly or losing their composure over someone they barely know. It is almost exclusively used to criticize or tease someone for being overly eager or desperate in their romantic pursuits.
Examples
She fell for that guy at first sight like a love-struck cat.
Don't be so easily infatuated, look clearly first.
Related words
Common phrases
like being love-struck and irrational
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive term for love at first sight, but it is actually derogatory and implies a lack of self-control or poor judgment. It should never be used to describe a genuine or healthy romantic connection.
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.
