Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “scared” in Cantonese! In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to express the feeling of being scared in Cantonese. We’ll provide you with a range of tips, examples, and even regional variations if necessary. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Scared” in Cantonese
When it comes to formal situations, it’s essential to use appropriate expressions to convey fear or being scared. Here are some of the commonly used formal phrases:
- 驚恐 (geng1 hung1): This term emphasizes a deep sense of fear or being terrified. It conveys a strong feeling of being scared.
Example: 我聽到那個聲音的時候感到驚恐不已。(ngo5 teng1 dou2 naa5 go3 seng1 jam1 dik1 si4 hau6 gam2 dou3 geng1 hung1 bat1 ji4)
Translation: I felt extremely scared when I heard that sound. - 害怕 (hoi6 paa3): This term is a more general way to express fear or being scared. It can be used in various situations and is suitable for both formal and informal settings.
Example: 他在黑暗中感到害怕。(taa1 zoi6 hak1 am3 zung1 gam2 dou3 hoi6 paa3)
Translation: He felt scared in the darkness.
Informal Ways to Say “Scared” in Cantonese
When it comes to informal conversations or among friends, you can use more colloquial expressions to express being scared. Here are a few to get you started:
- 驚 (geng1): This informal term is commonly used to describe being scared or shocked. It is frequently used in everyday conversations.
Example: 我看到那隻蟑螂感到好驚！(ngo5 hong1 dou3 naa5 zek3 zoeng1 loeng4 gam2 dou3 hou2 geng1)
Translation: I got really scared when I saw that cockroach! - 怕 (paa3): Similar to “害怕,” this term is commonly used in informal settings to express a general sense of being scared.
Example: 有時我夜晚獨自在家，會感到怕。(jau5 si4 ngo5 je6 maan5 duk6 zi6 zoi6 gaa1, wui5 gam2 dou3 paa3)
Translation: Sometimes I feel scared when I’m alone at home at night.
Regional Variations
While Cantonese is predominantly spoken in Hong Kong and surrounding areas, there are some regional variations in the way people express being scared. Here’s an example of the regional variation from Guangzhou:
- 驚嚇 (geng1 haak3): This term is often used in Guangzhou to emphasize a sudden scare or a state of shock.
Example: 我被那突如其來的雷聲驚嚇到了。(ngo5 bei2 naa5 dat6 jyu4 kei4 loi4 dik1 leoi4 seng1 geng1 haak3 dou3 liu5)
Translation: I was scared by the sudden thunderous sound.
These regional variations provide diversity within the Cantonese language, making it even more exciting to learn!
Cantonese, with its rich idioms and figures of speech, allows for multiple ways to express emotions and feelings like being scared. The examples and phrases provided in this guide offer a starting point for your Cantonese language journey.
Remember, language learning is a continuous process, so keep practicing and expanding your vocabulary. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the better you’ll become at expressing a wide range of emotions. Best of luck with your Cantonese learning!
