heoi1 hei1歔欷
Jyutpingheoi1 hei1
Yalehēui hēi
Definition
To weep, sob, or sigh.
writtenemotionbody
How it's used
Literary and formal in origin, this term is rarely used in casual daily speech to describe simple crying. It carries a specific nuance of suppressed, intermittent sobbing or the sound of catching one's breath while weeping. Using it in everyday conversation can sound overly dramatic or poetic, as most people prefer common verbs like 喊 or 嗚咽.
Examples
He is sobbing inside the room.
Why are you sitting there sobbing by yourself?
Related words
Common phrases
sobbing uncontrollably
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard verb for crying, but it specifically describes the sound or physical action of gasping while weeping. It is not interchangeable with the general act of shedding tears.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
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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.
