hei3 zyut6氣絕气绝
Jyutpinghei3 zyut6
Yalehei jyuht
Definition
To stop breathing; to die.
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How it's used
This term is formal and carries a clinical or literary weight, often appearing in news reports or medical contexts. Unlike the more visceral and common 斷氣, which focuses on the physical act of the last breath, 氣絕 is frequently paired with other words to describe the finality of death.
Examples
He was so sick he stopped breathing, even the doctor couldn't save him.
The patient had already stopped breathing when they arrived, showing no response.
Related words
Common phrases
to stop breathing and pass away
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual conversation about someone simply being out of breath or panting, as it specifically denotes the cessation of life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
