ai3翳
Jyutpingai3
Yaleai
Definition
Stuffy, close, or humid; also used to describe a heavy, tight chest sensation.
- stuffy, close, or humid due to lack of air circulation
- having a tight, heavy, or uncomfortable feeling in the chest
colloquialweatherbody
How it's used
Beyond describing weather, this term frequently describes a physical sensation of chest tightness or emotional suppression. When used for feelings, it implies a sense of being unable to breathe freely or express oneself. It carries a strong connotation of being trapped or suffocated by an environment or a situation.
Examples
The weather is so stuffy today, I'm sweating all over.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 焗, which specifically refers to the heat trapped in an enclosed space. While 翳 often implies a lack of air circulation, it focuses more on the oppressive, heavy feeling rather than just the high temperature.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
