gik1 gwai2 hei3激鬼氣激鬼气
Jyutpinggik1 gwai2 hei3
Yalegīk gwái hei
Definition
Extremely annoying or irritating.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Adding 鬼 to an adjective or verb phrase is a common way to intensify the emotion or frustration in Cantonese. It functions similarly to an intensifier like 'damn' or 'bloody' in English. It is strictly informal and should be avoided in professional or polite settings.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
really so annoying
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 激氣, which is the standard way to say 'to be annoyed'. Adding 鬼 makes it much more emphatic and slightly more aggressive, so it is best reserved for close friends or when you are venting extreme frustration.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
