hau2 hei3口氣口气
Jyutpinghau2 hei3
Yaleháu hei
Definition
Breath, especially bad breath.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Focuses specifically on unpleasant odors originating from the mouth, often implying a lack of hygiene or the result of pungent food. While it can metaphorically refer to someone's tone of voice or attitude, the physical meaning regarding breath is the most common usage in daily life. It is frequently paired with adjectives like 勁 or 大 to emphasize the intensity of the smell.
Examples
You ate so much garlic, your breath is really strong.
His breath was very bad when he was talking, which made me feel awkward.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 語氣, which refers to the tone of voice or manner of speaking. While 口氣 can occasionally be used figuratively to describe an arrogant or aggressive tone, using it to describe a person's general speaking style can lead to confusion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
