san4 teoi1 gwai2 si2神推鬼使
Jyutpingsan4 teoi1 gwai2 si2
Yalesàhn tēui gwái sí
Definition
To do something unconsciously or unexpectedly, as if driven by supernatural forces.
colloquialother
How it's used
Use this expression to describe actions that feel strangely fated or beyond one's own control, often when the outcome is surprising even to the person who did it. It carries a slightly mystical or eerie connotation, suggesting that an invisible hand guided your decision. It is frequently used to explain impulsive behavior that seems out of character.
Examples
As if possessed by some force, I ended up buying this car.
Were you acting under some strange influence? Why did you go there?
Related words
Common phrases
under the influence of some supernatural force
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple accidents or mistakes, as it specifically implies a sense of being driven by an external, almost supernatural, force rather than just being clumsy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
