zan3 ham6震撼
Jyutpingzan3 ham6
Yalejan hahm
Definition
To shock, astonish, or deeply move someone, leaving a lasting impression.
neutraldescriptionsemotion
How it's used
Describes a powerful emotional impact that leaves someone speechless or deeply moved. It often implies a sense of scale or intensity that shakes one's previous perceptions, similar to the feeling of a physical tremor. While it can be used for negative shocks, it is most frequently employed to describe artistic, visual, or auditory experiences that are overwhelmingly impressive.
Examples
The ending of this movie is truly astonishing.
Will you feel astounded after watching this performance?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple surprises or minor shocks, as it carries a weight of profound awe or intensity. It is not a synonym for being startled or scared, which would be better expressed using 嚇親.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
