aai1噯嗳
Jyutpingaai1
Yaleāai
Definition
An interjection expressing disapproval, regret, or sighing.
colloquialparticlecommunication
How it's used
Expresses mild disapproval, impatience, or a warning to stop someone from doing something inappropriate. It functions similarly to a sigh or a vocalized 'hey' meant to correct behavior. It is often used to grab attention before delivering a gentle rebuke.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin exclamation '哎' which is often used to express surprise or agreement. In Cantonese, this specific character is almost exclusively used to signal a negative reaction or to stop an action.
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.
