heoi1歔
Jyutpingheoi1
Yalehēui
Definition
To snort, sigh, or gasp.
colloquialbodyemotion
How it's used
Representing the sound of air being forcefully expelled through the nose, this term captures a specific gesture of disdain or impatience. It is primarily used to describe the physical act of showing contempt or annoyance towards someone or something. While it can be used in casual storytelling, it is quite descriptive and carries a strong emotional weight.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general laughing or sneezing, but it specifically denotes a sound of derision or frustration. It is not used for medical nasal congestion or standard breathing sounds.
Grammar color guide
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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.
