ham2 maai4砍埋
Jyutpingham2 maai4
Yalehám màaih
Definition
To bump into, crash into, or bang into something.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
This verb is specifically used for accidental, forceful contact with a hard surface or object. It carries a sense of suddenness and often implies that the speaker or subject was being careless or clumsy. While it describes physical impact, it is not used for intentional hitting or fighting.
Examples
I was walking carelessly and banged my foot against the table.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 撞, which is a more general term for colliding or crashing. 砍埋 specifically highlights the impact against a stationary object, often involving a limb or part of the body.
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.
