ceoi1 ngai4崔嵬
Jyutpingceoi1 ngai4
Yalechēui ngàih
Definition
Rocky, towering, and lofty.
- literaryrocky and uneven, like a stony mound
- literarytowering, lofty, and imposing
writtennaturedescriptions
How it's used
This term is strictly literary and belongs to the register of classical poetry or formal descriptive prose. It is almost never used in casual spoken Cantonese, as it sounds highly archaic and out of place in daily conversation. When used, it emphasizes a sense of imposing, rugged height that feels grand or intimidating.
Examples
This mountain is so lofty, how are we supposed to climb up?
I see the lofty mountain peaks in the distance, it is very magnificent.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake it for a common adjective, but using it in a casual setting will sound unnatural or overly dramatic. It is better to use descriptive phrases like 好高 or 險峻 for everyday communication.
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.
