hei1釐厘
Jyutpinghei1
Yalehēi
Definition
To get involved in; to meddle with.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Often used in the form 釐埋, this verb implies getting entangled or dragged into a situation, usually one that is messy or unnecessary. It carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the person is inserting themselves where they do not belong or where they will face trouble.
Examples
He always likes to get involved in gossip.
Related words
Common phrases
to get involved in
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the formal character 釐 meaning to calculate or regulate, but in spoken Cantonese, it functions as a colloquial verb for involvement. Ensure you do not use it in formal writing where it might be mistaken for the standard written Chinese term.
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.
