hei1嬉
Jyutpinghei1
Yalehēi
Definition
To play or laugh.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively used in formal or literary compounds like 嬉戲 or 嬉笑. It rarely appears as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, where people prefer to use 玩 or 笑 instead. It carries a slightly playful or lighthearted nuance that is often associated with children or carefree behavior.
Examples
Children love to play around the most.
They are playing in the park right now.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a direct synonym for 玩 in casual speech, but it sounds overly formal or archaic in daily conversation. Stick to 玩 for general play.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
