ho2 go1 ho2 jap1可歌可泣
Jyutpingho2 go1 ho2 jap1
Yalehó gō hó yāp
Definition
Moving and heroic; inspiring both praise and tears.
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How it's used
This idiom is reserved for grand, tragic, or deeply heroic narratives rather than everyday sad events. It carries a sense of epic scale, often associated with historical figures or legendary sacrifices. Using it to describe minor personal misfortunes sounds overly dramatic and ironic.
Examples
Their love story is truly moving and heroic.
Related words
Common phrases
heroic and moving deeds
moving and heroic history
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe any sad situation, but it requires an element of heroism or noble spirit to be appropriate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
