gaai3𠝹
Jyutpinggaai3
Yalegaai
Definition
To cut or score a surface with a knife, blade, or tool.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Specifically refers to using a sharp, thin blade or cutter to slice through materials like paper, cardboard, or plastic. Unlike 切 which implies chopping or slicing food, 𠝹 is almost exclusively used for non-food items or when someone accidentally cuts their skin. It carries a sense of precision or thinness in the cut.
Examples
Could you help me cut this piece of paper open?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 𠝹 for cooking tasks like cutting meat or vegetables, as that would sound very strange; stick to 切 for food preparation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
