taam4 fu2 sik1 bin3談虎色變谈虎色变

Jyutpingtaam4 fu2 sik1 bin3

Yaletàahm fú sīk bin

語句

Definition

To pale at the mention of something; to feel afraid or anxious when a particular topic is brought up.

neutralemotion

How it's used

This idiom describes a visceral, involuntary reaction of fear or extreme discomfort when a specific topic arises. It is often used to describe collective trauma or a widely shared phobia within a group. While it originates from classical literature, it remains a standard way to describe someone's visible agitation in both formal and informal settings.

Examples

jat1一gong2講hei2起go2嗰ci3次ji3意ngoi6外，keoi5佢zan1真hai6係taam4談fu2虎sik1色bin3變。

He really turns pale whenever that accident is mentioned.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使gam3咁kwaa1誇zoeng1張，gong2講hei2起haau2考si5試zau6就taam4談fu2虎sik1色bin3變aa4呀？

Do you have to be so dramatic, getting so anxious just by talking about exams?

Common phrases

taam4談fu2虎sik1色bin3變

to make people turn pale at the mention of something

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple synonym of being scared, but it specifically requires a trigger, such as a word or a topic, to initiate the reaction. It is not used to describe a general state of being a fearful person.