cyut3猝
Jyutpingcyut3
Yalechyut
Definition
Suddenly; abruptly.
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How it's used
This character is almost exclusively encountered in formal or literary contexts, particularly in news reports or medical terminology. It is rarely used in everyday spoken Cantonese, where speakers prefer the more common 突然. Using it in casual conversation can make you sound overly dramatic or like you are reading from a newspaper.
Examples
He died suddenly, and everyone was shocked.
Why did you suddenly decide to resign?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb, but it functions as an adverb or a prefix in compound words. Do not use it as a standalone verb to mean 'to happen suddenly' in daily speech.
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.
