guk1唂
Jyutpingguk1
Yalegūk
Definition
To hold one's breath, or to hold back and suppress one's anger.
- to hold one's breath; to strain or exert oneself
- to suppress, bottle up, or choke back one's anger
- to increase, build up, or boost
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the internal pressure of suppressed emotions rather than just being quiet. It implies a physical sensation of being stifled or suffocated by one's own silence. Often used with the particle 住 to emphasize the ongoing state of holding back.
Examples
keoi5佢seng4成jat6日bei3畀lou5老sai3細naau6鬧dou1都m4唔gam2敢ceot1出seng1聲，zing6淨hai6係sik1識dak1得zi6自gei2己guk1唂。
He gets scolded by his boss all the time but doesn't dare to speak up, he just knows how to bottle it up.
If you're unhappy about something, just say it out, don't keep bottling it up inside.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin word 憋, which is a more general term for holding back breath or emotions. While they share a similar meaning, 唂 is specifically used in Cantonese to describe the act of suppressing anger or resentment that is building up inside.
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.
