huk1勗
Jyutpinghuk1
Yalehūk
Definition
To exhort, enjoin, or encourage.
writtenother
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in formal written contexts or literary compounds like 勗勉. It is rarely used in spoken Cantonese, where more common verbs like 鼓勵 or 打氣 are preferred to express the act of exhorting or encouraging someone. Using it in casual conversation will sound overly academic or archaic.
Examples
The teacher exhorted the students to study hard.
He is always encouraging the friends around him.
Related words
Common phrases
to exhort and encourage
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 勖, which is a common variant character used in the same context. While they are interchangeable in meaning, 勗 is the more traditional form, but both are considered formal and are not part of everyday spoken vocabulary.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
