guk1 zyu6 dou6 hei3谷住度氣谷住度气
Jyutpingguk1 zyu6 dou6 hei3
Yalegūk jyuh douh hei
Definition
To contain, suppress, or hold back one's anger.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This expression captures the physical sensation of suppressed frustration, often implying that the person is on the verge of exploding. It is frequently used in workplace or family contexts where social hierarchy prevents an immediate outburst. Unlike simply being angry, this phrase emphasizes the active, often painful effort required to keep that anger inside.
Examples
He is always targeting me, I am really holding back my anger.
Related words
Common phrases
holding back anger and not saying anything
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being angry or annoyed. It specifically describes the act of swallowing or containing an existing anger, rather than the state of being angry itself.
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.
