aai1 seng1 taan3 hei3唉聲嘆氣唉声叹气
Jyutpingaai1 seng1 taan3 hei3
Yaleāai sēng taan hei
Definition
To sigh repeatedly in grief, regret, or annoyance.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This idiom captures the physical act of sighing combined with the emotional state of being dejected or frustrated. It is frequently used to describe someone who is visibly unhappy or complaining about their situation without necessarily taking action to change it. You will often hear it used to criticize someone for being overly negative or pessimistic in front of others.
Examples
He starts sighing in despair as soon as he sees his payslip.
Related words
Common phrases
always sighing and groaning
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply letting out a single sigh, which is just 嘆氣. This phrase implies a repetitive, ongoing behavior that signals a persistent bad mood or a lack of motivation.
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.
