bou6 bai6暴斃暴毙
Jyutpingbou6 bai6
Yalebouh baih
Definition
To die suddenly or unexpectedly.
colloquialpeopleanimals
How it's used
Carries a strong connotation of an unexpected and unnatural death, often implying a lack of prior illness or warning. While it can be used for humans, it is frequently applied to animals or pets in casual conversation to describe a sudden, unexplained passing. It sounds more dramatic and specific than just saying 走咗 or 死咗.
Examples
His cat died suddenly last night.
Why would it die suddenly when it was perfectly fine?
Related words
Common phrases
to die suddenly
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a peaceful death or a death after a long illness, as it specifically highlights the suddenness and shock of the event. It is not a polite or euphemistic way to talk about someone passing away.
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.
