zang1 sin1 hung2 hau6爭先恐後争先恐后
Jyutpingzang1 sin1 hung2 hau6
Yalejāng sīn húng hauh
Definition
To scramble, jostle, or rush for something in a crowd, creating chaos.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This idiom describes a chaotic scene where people are so eager to be first that they disregard order or safety. It is frequently used to criticize selfish behavior in public spaces like subway stations or sales events. Unlike simple words for rushing, it carries a negative connotation of disorder and lack of manners.
Examples
As soon as the door opened, people scrambled to rush inside.
Why is everyone scrambling to get in line?
Related words
Common phrases
to scramble to do something
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe a healthy competition or a race, but it specifically implies a disorganized, unruly scramble rather than a structured contest.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
