tin1 zoi1 jan4 wo6天災人禍天灾人祸
Jyutpingtin1 zoi1 jan4 wo6
Yaletīn jōi yàhn woh
Definition
Natural and man-made calamities; disasters of any kind.
neutralother
How it's used
This phrase is a set idiom used to describe a broad range of catastrophes, covering both uncontrollable environmental events and human-caused tragedies like wars or negligence. It carries a heavy, serious tone and is frequently used in news reports, formal speeches, or when discussing global instability. While it is a four-character idiom, it is perfectly natural to use in spoken Cantonese when expressing deep concern about the state of the world.
Examples
In recent years, there have been constant natural and man-made disasters around the world.
Why does this place always suffer from natural and man-made calamities?
Related words
Common phrases
constant natural and man-made disasters
to experience natural and man-made calamities
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
