gaai3 waai4介懷介怀
Jyutpinggaai3 waai4
Yalegaai wàaih
Definition
To mind, care about, or take offense; to harbor worries or resentment in one's heart.
neutralemotioncommunication
How it's used
Often used in formal or polite contexts to soften the blow of an apology or to reassure someone that no offense was taken. It carries a slightly more literary or sophisticated tone compared to the common 介意. It is frequently paired with negative structures to express that one is not bothered by a perceived slight.
Examples
Please don't mind, he is just a bit blunt.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this in casual settings where 介意 is more natural. Using 介懷 with close friends can sound overly formal or even slightly sarcastic depending on the context.
Grammar color guide
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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.
