sat1 sik1失色
Jyutpingsat1 sik1
Yalesāt sīk
Definition
To turn pale or change countenance because of fear.
neutralbodyemotion
How it's used
Describes a sudden loss of color in the face, specifically triggered by shock, terror, or intense anxiety. It functions as a formal or literary verb in written contexts but can be used in spoken Cantonese to describe a dramatic reaction. It often implies a visible, physical transformation that others can easily notice.
Examples
After hearing the news, he turned pale with fear immediately.
Related words
Common phrases
a woman's face turns pale with fear
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply feeling unwell or tired, as it specifically requires a trigger of fear or shock. For general paleness due to illness, use 面色蒼白 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
