bei1悲
Jyutpingbei1
Yalebēi
Definition
Sad, miserable, or sorrowful; causing sadness.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Expresses a deep, lingering sense of melancholy or tragedy rather than just a fleeting moment of unhappiness. It is rarely used on its own in casual speech, often appearing with particles like 啫 or 㗎 to soften the heavy emotional weight. While it describes a state of being, it is more literary than the common 唔開心.
Examples
Thinking about the past, it really feels so sad.
Why do you look so miserable?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor inconveniences or temporary moods, as it carries a heavy, almost poetic sense of sorrow. For everyday sadness, stick to 唔開心 or 難過.
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.
