tou4 meng6逃命
Jyutpingtou4 meng6
Yaletòuh mehng
Definition
To flee for one's life; to run away to save oneself from danger.
neutraldaily actions
How it's used
This term carries a sense of extreme urgency and desperation, often used in dramatic narratives or when describing life threatening disasters. It implies a situation where survival is the only priority, distinguishing it from casual running or leaving. It is rarely used in mundane contexts like leaving a boring meeting or a shop.
Examples
When the fire started, everyone scrambled to flee for their lives.
If you don't run for your life now, you won't be able to escape later.
Related words
Common phrases
scrambling to flee for one's life
Common mistake
Learners often use this word too casually for simply running away or escaping a minor inconvenience. It is reserved for situations involving genuine danger to life, such as fires, natural disasters, or life threatening pursuits.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
