tau4 tau4 pung3 zoek6 hak1頭頭碰著黑头头碰著黑
Jyutpingtau4 tau4 pung3 zoek6 hak1
Yaletàuh tàuh pung jeuhk hāk
Definition
To encounter constant bad luck; for everything to go wrong.
colloquialemotionslang
How it's used
This idiom describes a period where everything seems to go wrong consecutively, often implying a sense of helplessness. It is frequently used when someone experiences a chain reaction of minor inconveniences or major setbacks in a short timeframe. The imagery evokes the feeling of bumping into obstacles regardless of which direction one turns.
Examples
I'm having such a streak of bad luck today, nothing is going right.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of physical collisions, but it is strictly metaphorical for bad luck. It should not be used to describe a single isolated incident, as it implies a persistent state of misfortune.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
