hang1哼
Jyutpinghang1
Yalehāng
Definition
To hum; to sing softly, often just the melody without lyrics.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focus on the soft, breathy quality of the sound rather than the act of singing itself. It is frequently used when someone is absentmindedly passing time or trying to recall a tune they have forgotten the lyrics to. The sound is produced through the nose or throat with the mouth mostly closed.
Examples
He is humming that pop song.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the interjection 哼, which is used to express disdain or cold contempt. The context of the sentence will clearly distinguish whether it is a musical action or an expression of annoyance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
