hoi1 zeoi6開罪开罪
Jyutpinghoi1 zeoi6
Yalehōi jeuih
Definition
To offend, displease, or tread on somebody's toes.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to the extremely common 得罪. It is often used when discussing the social consequences of one's actions or when describing a situation where someone has been slighted. While interchangeable with 得罪 in many contexts, it feels more deliberate or serious.
Examples
You speak so bluntly, it is very easy to offend people.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 開心, but they are unrelated. Do not use it as a synonym for starting a crime or opening a case; it strictly refers to the act of causing offense.
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.
