bei1卑
Jyutpingbei1
Yalebēi
Definition
Lowly, humble, or base in status or character.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively encountered as part of the compound 卑鄙. It carries a strong moral judgment, describing someone who acts in a low, sneaky, or dishonorable way to achieve their goals. Outside of this specific collocation, it is rarely used as a standalone adjective in modern spoken Cantonese.
Examples
He is such a despicable person, always lying to people.
Related words
Common phrases
despicable; underhanded
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse the pronunciation of 卑 with 俾, which is the common colloquial verb for 'to give' or 'to let'. While they may sound similar to untrained ears, 卑 is a formal morpheme used in negative descriptions, whereas 俾 is a high-frequency functional word used in everyday speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
