sang1 paa3生怕
Jyutpingsang1 paa3
Yalesāng pa
Definition
To fear greatly; to be terribly afraid that something might happen.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Expresses a state of apprehension where one takes specific precautions to prevent an unwanted outcome. It functions as a conjunction or adverbial phrase indicating that an action is performed specifically to avoid a negative result. It carries a slightly more literary or formal tone compared to the very common colloquial phrase 驚死.
Examples
He walks very carefully, so as not to step on the flowers and grass.
Speak a bit quieter, are you afraid people won't hear you?
Related words
Common phrases
afraid of people finding out
afraid of making a mistake
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple verb meaning to be scared, but it specifically implies a preventative action taken because of that fear. It is not used to describe a general feeling of being afraid of something, such as being afraid of spiders.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
