hei3 kat1氣咳气咳
Jyutpinghei3 kat1
Yalehei kāt
Definition
To feel short of breath and start coughing, typically caused by anger or extreme annoyance.
colloquialemotionhealth
How it's used
Describes a physical reaction to extreme frustration or anger where one feels suffocated or unable to catch their breath. It is often used to describe the feeling of being so annoyed by someone's behavior that it triggers a coughing fit or a feeling of chest tightness. It carries a strong sense of exasperation and implies that the person causing the reaction is not worth the stress.
Examples
He is so annoying when he talks, it makes me short of breath and coughing.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a medical condition like asthma or a common cold. It is strictly used in social contexts to describe an emotional reaction to annoyance or anger.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
