tong4 dat6唐突

Jyutpingtong4 dat6

Yaletòhng daht

形容詞Uncommon

Definition

Abrupt, blunt, or forward, especially by bringing up something unexpected that might seem rude.

neutraldescriptionscommunication

How it's used

唐突 carries a sense of social clumsiness or lack of tact rather than pure aggression. It is often used when someone brings up a sensitive or private topic without proper preparation or build up. Using this word effectively signals that you are aware of your own social faux pas.

Examples

m4唔hou2好ji3意si1思，gam3咁joeng2樣man6問nei5你zan1真hai6係hou2好tong4唐dat6突。

Sorry, it is really blunt of me to ask you like this.

keoi5佢gong2講je5嘢gam3咁tong4唐dat6突，gaau2搞dou3到coeng4場min2面hou2好gaam3尷gaai3尬。

He spoke so bluntly that it made the situation very awkward.

Common phrases

ceng2請syu3恕tong4唐dat6突

please forgive my bluntness

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 突然, which simply means sudden or unexpected. While 唐突 implies a suddenness, it specifically focuses on the negative social impact of that suddenness, whereas 突然 is neutral.