zeoi3 zeoi3 bat1 on1惴惴不安
Jyutpingzeoi3 zeoi3 bat1 on1
Yalejeui jeui bāt ōn
Definition
Anxious and fearful; extremely uneasy due to worry and dread.
writtenemotiondescriptions
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that carries a literary weight, making it sound quite serious or dramatic when used in casual conversation. It is often reserved for situations involving significant stress, such as waiting for important test results or anticipating a major life change. Because of its intensity, it is rarely used to describe minor daily worries.
Examples
He is always anxious and fearful, as if he is hiding something from me.
Why are you so anxious and fearful? It is just a job interview.
Related words
Common phrases
to feel anxious and fearful
makes me anxious and fearful
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common adjective like 驚 or 緊張. Using this idiom in a casual setting can make you sound like you are quoting a novel or being overly theatrical.
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.
