taan1 taan1 jiu1攤攤腰摊摊腰
Jyutpingtaan1 taan1 jiu1
Yaletāan tāan yīu
Definition
Totally exhausted, collapsed in exhaustion, or worn out to the point where one's lower back has no strength.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the physical sensation of being so drained that one can no longer maintain an upright posture. It implies a state of total surrender to fatigue where the body literally sags or slumps. It is almost exclusively used to describe extreme physical exhaustion rather than mental stress or boredom.
Examples
After working the night shift, I am truly exhausted to the point of collapse.
Related words
Common phrases
exhausted to the point of collapse
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being tired, which is usually expressed as 攰. This phrase specifically paints a picture of physical collapse, so it sounds overly dramatic if used for mild tiredness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
