gaai2 tai2解體解体
Jyutpinggaai2 tai2
Yalegáai tái
Definition
To disintegrate, break up, or dissolve into pieces so that the original entity no longer exists.
neutralother
How it's used
Primarily used for formal or political contexts such as the collapse of empires, organizations, or large-scale structures. It carries a sense of total breakdown where the original entity ceases to function as a unified whole. While it can apply to smaller groups, using it for everyday objects or personal relationships often sounds overly dramatic or academic.
Examples
The company was poorly managed and eventually disintegrated.
Do you think this organization will disintegrate?
Related words
Common phrases
organization disintegrates
regime collapses
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical objects breaking into pieces, like a plate shattering or a toy falling apart. For physical breakage, use 爛咗 or 散咗 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
