bok3 oi3博愛博爱
Jyutpingbok3 oi3
Yalebok oi
Definition
Universal love; equal love towards everyone and all things.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Often used with a hint of skepticism or irony in casual conversation, as it describes a standard of altruism that is difficult for ordinary people to maintain. It is frequently applied to public figures or politicians to question whether their concern for the masses is genuine or merely performative. The term carries a slightly formal or philosophical weight compared to everyday expressions of affection.
Examples
He always talks about universal love, but he doesn't even care about his own family.
Related words
Common phrases
spirit of universal love
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with the casual act of liking or loving someone, but it specifically refers to a broad, impartial love for all humanity. It is not used to describe romantic love or personal affection for friends.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



