daa2 hei2打起
Jyutpingdaa2 hei2
Yaledá héi
Definition
To rouse, lift up, or rally, such as one's spirits or energy; to start a fight.
- to rouse, lift up, or summon, as in one's spirits or attention
- to start fighting or go to war
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
The suffix 上嚟 is almost always attached when meaning to start a fight, indicating the onset of the action. When used to mean staying alert, it specifically pairs with 精神 to describe the act of pulling oneself together or becoming vigilant. It is distinct from simply hitting someone, which would usually be expressed as 打人.
Examples
The two of them started fighting in the street.
You need to stay alert if you see any suspicious people.
Related words
Common phrases
to pull oneself together; to stay alert
to start a fight
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of adding or filling, as that meaning is not standard in Cantonese. In Cantonese, this phrase is strictly reserved for physical altercations or the mental state of being alert.
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.
