daa2 hei3打氣打气
Definition
To cheer someone on and bolster morale, or to pump air into tires.
- to cheer someone on; to encourage; to root for
- to pump air into tires
How it's used
Beyond the metaphorical sense of offering moral support, this term is also used literally for pumping air into objects like bicycle tires or balloons. When used in a social context, it implies a collective effort to boost someone's morale before a challenge or during a difficult time. It carries a warm, encouraging tone that is frequently used in sports, school events, or personal encouragement among friends.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse the figurative meaning of providing encouragement with the literal action of inflating an object, as the context usually makes the distinction clear. Beginners sometimes mistakenly use it to mean 'to fight' because of the character 打, but it is strictly about support and morale.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
