gwaai1 gwaai1 dei6*2乖乖地
Jyutpinggwaai1 gwaai1 dei6*2
Yalegwāai gwāai déi6*
Definition
Obediently, well-behaved, or submissively.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Adding the particle 地 to the adjective 乖 creates an adverbial phrase that emphasizes a sense of compliance or stillness. It is frequently used by parents or authority figures to encourage someone to stop fidgeting or causing trouble. The tone is often gentle but firm, implying that the person should simply behave without further fuss.
Examples
Just sit there and wait for me obediently.
He finished all his homework obediently today.
Related words
Common phrases
sit still obediently
listen and behave obediently
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with just 乖, but 乖乖地 specifically describes the manner of an action, whereas 乖 is a static description of a person's character. Using it to describe a person's general personality rather than a specific behavior can sound slightly unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
