hei2 lai4起嚟
Jyutpinghei2 lai4
Yalehéi làih
Definition
Suffix added after a verb to indicate that an action or state has just begun.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the inception of an action or a sudden change in state. It often implies that the action is noticeable or has reached a point where it becomes apparent to others. When used with verbs of emotion or sensory perception, it highlights the moment the feeling or event breaks out.
Examples
Why did you suddenly start crying?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the directional verb 起嚟 meaning to stand up or to rise. When used as an aspect marker, it must follow a verb directly, whereas the directional sense often functions as a standalone verb phrase or follows a verb of motion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
