zaam2 ngaan5䁪眼
Jyutpingzaam2 ngaan5
Yalejáam ngáahn
Definition
To blink one's eyes.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the rapid closing and opening of the eyelids. It is often used to describe something happening very quickly, as in the phrase 䁪眼之間, which means in the blink of an eye. While it describes the physical action, it can also imply a sense of suddenness or fleeting time.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
in the blink of an eye
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 眨眼, which is also used for blinking but is more common in written or formal contexts. 䁪眼 is the preferred term in spoken Cantonese for the physical act of blinking.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
