sat1 geng1 mou4 san4失驚無神失惊无神
Jyutpingsat1 geng1 mou4 san4
Yalesāt gēng mòuh sàhn
Definition
Unexpectedly, suddenly, or out of the blue.
colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions
How it's used
Carries a strong connotation of annoyance or bewilderment, implying that the sudden action is unprovoked or lacks a logical reason. It is frequently used to express frustration when someone disrupts a peaceful moment or makes an abrupt, bizarre request. Unlike neutral terms for suddenness, this phrase highlights the jarring nature of the event.
Examples
He showed up out of the blue to find me and gave me a fright.
Related words
Common phrases
to scream out of the blue
to show up unexpectedly
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal writing or professional settings, as it is strictly colloquial and carries a slightly informal, emotive tone. It is not interchangeable with neutral adverbs like 突然, which can be used in any context.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
