saat3 jan4 jyu4 maa4殺人如麻杀人如麻
Jyutpingsaat3 jan4 jyu4 maa4
Yalesaat yàhn yùh màh
Definition
To have killed a lot of people; to massacre countless people.
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How it's used
This idiom is used to describe someone who kills with extreme indifference or in massive numbers, often implying a lack of humanity. It is typically reserved for historical figures, villains in fiction, or extreme criminal contexts rather than casual conversation. The phrase emphasizes the frequency and ease with which the killing occurs, similar to how one might harvest hemp.
Examples
That warlord killed countless people, it is truly terrifying.
How can he kill so many people without feeling any guilt?
Related words
Common phrases
a dictator who kills countless people
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a single act of violence or a standard murder case. It implies a pattern of widespread, systematic, or callous killing, making it inappropriate for everyday arguments or minor conflicts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
