hang1 hang1哼哼
Jyutpinghang1 hang1
Yalehāng hāng
Definition
To groan, mumble, or hum continually.
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Often used in the reduplicated form 哼哼唧唧 to describe someone who is complaining in a low, indistinct, or annoying manner. It captures the sound of someone who is physically uncomfortable or emotionally dissatisfied but refuses to speak clearly. When used as a simple verb, it can also refer to the act of humming a tune to oneself.
Examples
He is mumbling and groaning, I don't know what he wants.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the sound 哼, which is an interjection used to express cold disdain, anger, or a dismissive attitude, similar to a scoff.
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.
