taan2 tik1 bat1 on1忐忑不安
Jyutpingtaan2 tik1 bat1 on1
Yaletáan tīk bāt ōn
Definition
Uneasy, restless, and perturbed; on tenterhooks.
writtenemotion
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that is rarely used in casual spoken Cantonese. While it describes a state of anxiety, native speakers almost always prefer the more expressive colloquial term 囉囉攣 to convey the same feeling of restlessness. Using this idiom in daily conversation can sound overly dramatic or like you are reading from a book.
Examples
I felt very uneasy during the job interview.
Why do you have to feel so restless?
Related words
Common phrases
feeling anxious and uneasy
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common everyday adjective, but it carries a literary weight that makes it sound unnatural in casual settings. It is better to use 囉囉攣 or 心掛掛 when speaking with friends.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
