gang2 jit3哽咽
Jyutpinggang2 jit3
Yalegáng yit
Definition
To have a lump in one's throat, typically from being emotional or sad.
neutralemotionbody
How it's used
Describes the physical sensation of being unable to speak due to intense emotion, specifically sadness or being moved. Unlike the more general term 喊, which refers to the act of crying, this focuses on the involuntary blockage in the throat that precedes or accompanies tears. It is often used in formal or literary contexts, such as news reports or storytelling, rather than casual conversation.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
choked up for a moment
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the act of choking on food, which is usually expressed as 哽親. While both involve the throat, 哽咽 is strictly for emotional states, whereas 哽親 is for physical obstruction by objects or liquids.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
