aak1厄
Jyutpingaak1
Yaleāak
Definition
Danger; adversity or misfortune.
writtenother
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in formal or literary compounds rather than being used as a standalone word in spoken Cantonese. It carries a heavy, fated sense of doom that goes beyond simple danger. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation unless discussing superstitions or dramatic narratives.
Examples
He has been having bad luck lately, nothing goes his way.
This place is full of misfortune, let's leave quickly.
Related words
Common phrases
misfortune
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for the common word 危險, but 厄 is restricted to specific set phrases like 厄運. Do not try to use it as a general adjective for dangerous situations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



