hei3戲戏
Jyutpinghei3
Yalehei
Definition
A film, movie, theatrical play, or performance.
- movie; film
- play; theatrical show; drama
- traditional Chinese opera
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Refers primarily to movies in modern daily speech, though it retains the older sense of theatrical performance. When talking about going to the cinema, people often use the phrase 睇戲 rather than specifying the genre. It is versatile enough to cover everything from Hollywood blockbusters to traditional Cantonese opera.
Measure word
tou3套touExamples
Are there any movies to watch tonight?
This movie is really touching.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin word 戲劇 which is more formal; in Cantonese, 戲 is sufficient for movies, whereas 戲劇 is usually reserved for formal stage plays or academic discussions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
