san4 san4 ging1 ging1神神經經神神经经
Jyutpingsan4 san4 ging1 ging1
Yalesàhn sàhn gīng gīng
Definition
Mentally unstable, abnormal, or acting crazy.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes someone acting in an erratic, unpredictable, or slightly unhinged manner. It is less clinical than calling someone mentally ill and is often used to tease friends or describe someone who is being bizarre or acting out of character. The repetition of the characters adds a playful or dismissive emphasis to the behavior.
Examples
He is always acting weird, I have no idea what he is thinking.
Why are you looking at me in such a weird way?
Related words
Common phrases
acting in a weird way
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone with an actual medical condition, as it is strictly used for behavioral quirks or odd social conduct. Using it in a serious context can be perceived as highly offensive or insensitive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
