baai6敗败
Jyutpingbaai6
Yalebaaih
Definition
To be defeated; to lose; to fail.
writtenother
How it's used
Unlike the common verb 輸, which is used in almost all daily contexts from sports to gambling, 敗 is primarily a morpheme found in formal or literary compounds. It carries a sense of grander scale or historical weight, often appearing in contexts like warfare or organizational failure. You will rarely hear a native speaker use it as a standalone verb in casual conversation.
Examples
He lost the competition this time, it's really a letdown.
They have been defeated in this battle, let's retreat quickly.
Related words
Common phrases
to be defeated in battle or competition
Common mistake
Do not use 敗 as a direct replacement for 輸 in everyday speech. Saying 佢敗咗 for someone losing a game sounds unnatural and overly dramatic, as if describing a historical military defeat rather than a casual match.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
