aau3 hei3拗氣拗气
Jyutpingaau3 hei3
Yaleaau hei
Definition
To quarrel, argue, or clash with someone out of spite or stubbornness.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Focuses on the stubborn, petty nature of a disagreement rather than a serious argument. It implies that the parties involved are intentionally being difficult or contrary just to frustrate the other person. This behavior is often described as being childish or unreasonable.
Examples
Those two are quarreling with each other again.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鬧交, which refers to a more direct, verbal confrontation or shouting match. 拗氣 is more about the underlying attitude of defiance or contrariness during an interaction.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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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.
