sap1 seoi2 paau3 zoeng2濕水炮仗
Jyutpingsap1 seoi2 paau3 zoeng2
Yalesāp séui paau jéung
Definition
A mild-tempered person who rarely gets angry or who always suppresses their temper.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Literally referring to a firecracker that has been soaked in water and thus cannot explode, this idiom is used to describe someone who is exceptionally calm or passive. It specifically highlights a lack of reaction to provocation, making it a common way to describe someone who is impossible to offend or provoke into an argument.
Examples
He is like a wet firecracker; no matter how much you scold him, he never loses his temper.
Related words
Common phrases
like a wet firecracker
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply quiet or shy. It specifically implies a lack of explosive temper, so it is only appropriate when discussing someone's reaction to being provoked or annoyed.
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.
