hang4 hung1行兇行凶
Jyutpinghang4 hung1
Yalehàhng hūng
Definition
To commit a violent crime, such as assault or murder.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This term is formal and carries a heavy, serious tone often found in news reports or crime dramas. It specifically refers to the act of committing a violent crime or physical attack, rather than just being aggressive or mean. It is rarely used in casual daily conversation unless one is discussing a criminal incident.
Examples
That perpetrator wants to commit violence on the street.
Are they planning to commit an assault?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 兇人, which simply means to act fierce or bully someone verbally. 行兇 implies a physical, often criminal, act of violence, whereas 兇人 is much milder and often used for someone who is just being grumpy or intimidating.
Grammar color guide
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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.
