wan1 wan1 dan6溫溫燉温温炖
Jyutpingwan1 wan1 dan6
Yalewān wān dahn
Definition
Torpid, muddle-headed, and slow to react.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes a state of mental fog or sluggishness that makes someone appear slow to react or lacking in focus. It is often used to criticize someone for being inefficient or dazed during tasks that require alertness. The repetition of the characters emphasizes the persistent, lingering nature of this lethargic state.
Examples
He is always muddle-headed and slow at work.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 燉 which refers to the cooking method of stewing. While the sound is identical, the meaning here is purely metaphorical and related to a person's mental state rather than food preparation.
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.
