hei1 kei3希冀
Jyutpinghei1 kei3
Yalehēi kei
Definition
To hope, wish, or aspire; a hope, aspiration, or longing.
writtenemotion
How it's used
This term is significantly more formal than everyday words like 希望 or 盼望. It carries a literary or poetic weight, often appearing in written prose, news editorials, or serious speeches rather than casual conversation. Using it in a relaxed setting can make the speaker sound overly dramatic or pretentious.
Examples
He still has many hopes for the future.
Do you still have any hope of achieving your dream?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb, but it is primarily a noun in Cantonese. It cannot be used as a simple auxiliary verb to mean "to hope" in the same way as 希望.
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.
