hei2 jau5豈有岂有
Jyutpinghei2 jau5
Yalehéi yáuh
Definition
How can there be; how could it be that.
colloquialemotioncommunication
How it's used
Functioning primarily as a rhetorical device, this phrase is almost exclusively used to express indignation or disbelief. It carries a formal, slightly literary weight that makes it sound particularly sharp when used in casual speech. It is rarely used to ask a genuine question about existence, serving instead as a strong emotional reaction to something perceived as unreasonable.
Examples
That is ridiculous, how can you talk like that?
Related words
Common phrases
how unreasonable; that is outrageous
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard question word like 點解. Using it in a neutral or polite context will sound overly dramatic or aggressive, as it inherently implies that the situation being described is absurd or unacceptable.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
