zou1 fung4遭逢
Jyutpingzou1 fung4
Yalejōu fùhng
Definition
To encounter or suffer from misfortune.
writtenotherdescriptions
How it's used
Carries a formal and heavy tone, typically reserved for serious life events like death, bankruptcy, or major disasters. It is rarely used in casual conversation to describe minor inconveniences or daily mishaps. Using it for trivial matters will sound overly dramatic or ironic.
Examples
His family recently suffered a huge tragedy, it is so miserable.
Why did you end up encountering such bad things?
Related words
Common phrases
to suffer a huge tragedy
to encounter misfortune
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it for any type of meeting or encounter, but it specifically implies a negative or unfortunate experience. Avoid using it for neutral or positive encounters like meeting a friend or finding a good deal.
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.
