hei2 sam1起心
Jyutpinghei2 sam1
Yalehéi sām
Definition
To have a desire for something or someone, or to harbor a certain intention.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Focuses on the initial spark of desire or intent, often implying a shift in mindset toward pursuing something or someone. It frequently carries a cautionary tone when used in interpersonal contexts, suggesting that the desire might be unwise or problematic. The phrase is almost always followed by 對 to indicate the object of the desire.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin phrase 起心動念, which is more philosophical or abstract. In Cantonese, 起心 is specifically used for concrete desires, such as wanting a specific object, a job, or developing a romantic interest in someone.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
