haai4嚡
Jyutpinghaai4
Yalehàaih
Definition
Rough, coarse, or uneven to the touch; lacking smoothness.
colloquialdescriptionsbody
How it's used
Primarily used to describe the tactile sensation of surfaces that are not smooth, such as sandpaper, unpolished wood, or fabric that has lost its softness. It can also describe the texture of food, particularly when something is dry or lacks the expected creaminess, like poorly cooked rice or over-steamed vegetables.
Examples
This shirt feels very rough after washing, don't wear it.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 粗, which is a broader term for coarse or thick. While 粗 can describe the texture of an object, 嚡 specifically focuses on the unpleasant, scratchy, or dry sensation against the skin or tongue.
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.



