ceoi1摧
Jyutpingceoi1
Yalechēui
Definition
To break, destroy, devastate, or repress.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe the act of crushing, destroying, or breaking something down. In everyday spoken Cantonese, you will almost always hear native speakers use 整爛 or 毀滅 instead of 摧. It carries a heavy, dramatic weight and is rarely used in casual conversation.
Examples
His dreams were shattered by reality.
Do not destroy other people's hard work.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a direct synonym for breaking an object like a cup or a phone, but it is far too formal and intense for such mundane situations. Stick to 爛 or 整爛 for physical objects.
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.
