ai3縊缢
Jyutpingai3
Yaleai
Definition
To hang; to strangle.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
Literary and formal, this character is rarely encountered in everyday spoken Cantonese. Most speakers prefer using the descriptive phrase 吊頸 to describe the act of hanging, as 縊 is restricted to written contexts or formal reports.
Examples
Why did he have to hang himself?
Related words
Common phrases
to hang to death
Common mistake
Do not use this in casual conversation, as it sounds overly dramatic or clinical. Use 吊頸 for all standard, non-literary communication.
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.
