ciu1 / tiu4怊
Jyutpingciu1 / tiu4
Yalechīu / tìuh
Definition
Grieved, sorrowful, or disappointed.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Describes a persistent, often intense or fixed gaze that can feel slightly uncomfortable or intrusive to the person being watched. It implies a sense of preoccupation or fixating on an object or person, rather than just a casual glance. It is frequently used when someone is waiting for a response or is lost in thought while looking at something.
Examples
He is always staring at his phone, I wonder who he is waiting to hear back from.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 睇, which is a neutral word for looking or watching. Using 怊 suggests a more focused, heavy, or prolonged stare that carries a specific emotional weight or intent.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
