bei1 oi1悲哀
Jyutpingbei1 oi1
Yalebēi ōi
Definition
Sad, sorrowful, or woeful, especially when describing the tragic situation of others.
neutralemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Describes a deep, heavy sense of sorrow or a tragic situation rather than just feeling unhappy. It is often used to comment on social issues or the unfortunate circumstances of others, carrying a tone of pity or helplessness. It sounds more formal and literary than common spoken words like 慘.
Examples
Seeing them like this is truly sorrowful.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor personal inconveniences or daily frustrations, as it implies a much more serious or profound level of sadness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
