tin1 gou1 dei6 hau5天高地厚
Jyutpingtin1 gou1 dei6 hau5
Yaletīn gōu deih háuh
Definition
The immensity of heaven and earth; the complexity of things.
- the immensity of universe, or the complexity and depth of affairs
- figurativeused in the negative to describe a youngster who is naive or arrogant
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
This idiom is almost exclusively used to describe someone, usually a younger or inexperienced person, who lacks the wisdom to understand the scale of a situation or the consequences of their actions. It carries a strong sense of reprimand or condescension, implying that the person is being arrogant or naive. It is rarely used in its literal sense to describe the physical world.
Examples
He is just a kid who does not know the immensity of the world and always speaks recklessly.
You really do not know the immensity of the world; how dare you challenge him?
Related words
Common phrases
to be ignorant of the immensity of the world
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive description of someone who is ambitious or brave, but it is almost always used to criticize someone for being foolishly overconfident.
Grammar color guide
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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.
