hip3脅胁
Jyutpinghip3
Yalehip
Definition
To threaten, coerce, or oppress the weak using power or force.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively used as a bound morpheme in the compound word 威脅. It rarely appears as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, where people would typically use phrases like 嚇人 or 逼人 instead. It carries a formal or serious tone, often appearing in news reports or legal contexts rather than casual conversation.
Examples
He is always threatening to fire me.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common everyday verb, but using it in isolation sounds unnatural or overly literary. Stick to using it within the compound 威脅 to avoid sounding like you are reading from a formal document.
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.
