wan4 fei1 paak3 saan3魂飛魄散魂飞魄散

Jyutpingwan4 fei1 paak3 saan3

Yalewàhn fēi paak saan

語句

Definition

Frightened out of one's wits; extremely scared or terrified.

colloquialemotiondescriptions

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of dramatic, visceral terror that goes beyond simple nervousness. It is frequently used in hyperbolic contexts to describe a sudden, intense shock or a life-threatening situation. Because it is a four-character idiom, it adds a literary weight to an otherwise casual conversation, making the speaker's fear sound more vivid and extreme.

Examples

gin3見dou2到go2嗰zek3隻gwai2鬼gam3咁daai6大zek3隻，haak3嚇dou3到ngo5我wan4魂fei1飛paak3魄saan3散aa4呀。

Seeing that ghost so huge, I was scared out of my wits.

nei5你dat6突jin4然gaan1間daai6大giu3叫，zan1真hai6係haak3嚇dou3到ngo5我wan4魂fei1飛paak3魄saan3散㗎。

You shouted suddenly and really scared me to death.

Common phrases

haak3嚇dou3到wan4魂fei1飛paak3魄saan3散

scared out of one's wits

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe mild fear or anxiety, as it implies a level of terror that makes one feel as if their soul has literally left their body. It is strictly reserved for moments of extreme fright.