hei2豈岂
Jyutpinghei2
Yalehéi
Definition
How; what; used in rhetorical questions to mean "how can it be that".
writtencommunication
How it's used
This word is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to form rhetorical questions, often carrying a tone of indignation or disbelief. While it functions similarly to 點 or 邊 in spoken Cantonese, it is rarely used in casual daily speech and sounds quite bookish or dramatic. It is most commonly encountered in written text, news editorials, or when someone is deliberately using a more elevated or sarcastic tone.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it as a direct replacement for 點 in everyday conversation, which can make the speaker sound overly formal or like they are reciting a script. It is not a standard colloquial particle and should be avoided in casual settings.
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.
