hing3謦
Jyutpinghing3
Yalehing
Definition
To cough slightly, or to talk and laugh.
- to cough slightly
- to talk and laugh
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Used primarily in the phrase 謦偈 to describe the act of chatting or having a pleasant conversation. While the character 謦 can technically refer to a slight cough, it is almost exclusively encountered in the context of social interaction in modern Cantonese. It carries a lighthearted and informal tone, often implying a friendly or intimate exchange.
Examples
He is chatting away, don't disturb him.
What are you two whispering and laughing about?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 傾, which is the standard and far more common way to write the word for chatting. Using 謦 in writing is considered highly literary or even archaic, so it is safer to stick to 傾 for daily communication.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
