bui3悖
Jyutpingbui3
Yalebui
Definition
To go against, contradict, or be perverse.
writtenother
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in formal or literary contexts in Hong Kong. It is rarely used in everyday spoken Cantonese, where people would prefer using phrases like 唔啱, 違背, or 反對. It carries a strong sense of moral or logical contradiction.
Examples
His behavior is simply against human morality.
Does this approach go against the original intention?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 悖, which is visually similar to 勃, but they have completely different meanings and pronunciations. Avoid using this in casual conversation as it will sound overly dramatic or archaic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
