得人驚
dak1 jan4 geng1
The English word 'scary' is translated into Cantonese as 得人驚 (dak1 jan4 geng1).
得人驚 is used to describe something that causes fear or anxiety.
Meaning: causing fear or anxiety (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 得 (to get/obtain), 人 (people) and 驚 (to be startled or frightened), literally meaning 'to get people to be startled or frightened'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something is 'very scary', you can add the adverb 好 (hou2) before the phrase, resulting in 好得人驚.
How do you pronounce it?
dak1 jan4 geng1
Did you know?
- You might hear someone use 得人驚 to describe a very high or unexpected price, implying the cost is 'frighteningly' high.
- Cantonese speakers often use the word 驚 to mean 'worried' in daily conversation, such as saying 我好驚 when they are simply nervous about an exam.
- The character 驚 in this phrase is the same one used in the word for 'surprise', showing how the language links startled reactions to the feeling of fear.
Examples in context
- 電影非常恐怖。The movie is very scary.
- 呢間屋好得人驚。ni1 gaan1 uk1 hou2 dak1 jan4 ging1.This house is very scary.
- 聽呢個故仔真係得人驚。ting1 ni1 go3 gu3 zai2 zan1 hai6 dak1 jan4 ging1.Listening to this story is truly scary.
Example conversation
Jun Kit and Mei Ling are watching a horror film together.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit美玲，你覺得呢套戲得人驚嗎？mei5 ling4, nei5 gok3 dak6 ni1 tou3 hei3 dak1 jan4 ging1 maa1?Mei Ling, do you think this movie is scary?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我覺得好得人驚呀！ngo5 gok3 dak6 hou2 dak1 jan4 ging1 aa3!I think it's very scary!
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我都有啲怕。ngo5 dou1 jau5 di1 paa3.I am a bit scared too.
- 美玲 Mei Ling俊傑，我唔敢睇喇。zeon3 kit6, ngo5 m4 gam2 tai2 laa3.Jun Kit, I don't dare watch it anymore.
