冷不防
laang5 bat1 fong4lěng bu fáng
English
- unexpectedly
- suddenly
- at unawares
- off guard
- against expectations
- suddenly and quietly
粵語 — Cantonese
- 唔聲唔聲
Examples
冷不防,老师让每个国家的学生用话筒给大家讲一下自己来哈尔滨的原因。
Without warning, the teachers ask students from each country to take the microphone and explain to everyone their reasons for coming to Harbin.
細佬唔聲唔聲閂咗盞燈,嚇親婆婆。
弟弟冷不防把燈關掉,嚇到婆婆了。 (dai6 dai6 laang5 bat1 fong4 baa2 dang1 gwaan1 diu6, haak3 dou2 po4 po2 liu5.)
My little brother suddenly turned off the light so Grandma is scared.
Sources: cc-cedict, rime-cantonese, words.hk