sam1 faa1 nou6 fong3心花怒放
Jyutpingsam1 faa1 nou6 fong3
Yalesām fā nouh fong
Definition
Elated; burst with joy; extremely happy and delighted.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of blooming joy, often triggered by a specific piece of good news or a romantic encounter. While it is a four character idiom, it is used quite naturally in spoken Cantonese to describe a state of visible, bubbling excitement. It implies a level of happiness that is hard to contain, rather than just a quiet sense of satisfaction.
Examples
He was absolutely delighted when he heard the good news.
Are you over the moon? You are smiling so happily.
Related words
Common phrases
simply over the moon
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistake this for a general term for happiness, but it specifically describes an intense, sudden burst of joy. It is not appropriate for describing a calm or steady state of contentment.
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.
