gwai6跪
Jyutpinggwai6
Yalegwaih
Definition
To kneel down; to touch the ground with one or both knees.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
Often used in a humorous or hyperbolic sense when referring to domestic punishment, such as the classic trope of kneeling on a washboard or glass. It carries a strong connotation of submission or extreme apology, making it sound quite dramatic in casual conversation. When used literally, it describes the physical act of resting one's knees on the ground.
Examples
He is kneeling there begging for my forgiveness.
Do you have to kneel down and admit your mistake after doing something wrong?
Related words
Common phrases
to kneel down and admit one's fault
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 跪低, which is a common phrasal verb that can also mean to give in or surrender to pressure in a metaphorical sense, rather than just the physical act of kneeling.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
