hung1 hei3空氣空气
Jyutpinghung1 hei3
Yalehūng hei
Definition
Air; the atmospheric gas that surrounds the Earth, essential to living organisms.
neutralnaturehealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to the physical atmosphere, but is also frequently used in metaphorical contexts to describe the mood or tension in a room. When someone says someone is acting like 空氣, they mean that person is being ignored or treated as if they are invisible. It is a common noun that does not require a specific classifier when used in general statements.
Examples
The air here is terrible, I want to go to the park to get some fresh air.
Do you feel like the air today is a bit strange?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 空氣 with 氣氛, which specifically refers to the atmosphere or vibe of a social situation. While 空氣 can sometimes be used to describe the feeling in a room, 氣氛 is the standard term for social mood or ambiance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
