je5惹

Jyutpingje5

Yaleyéh

動詞Common

Definition

To attract, draw, or provoke.

colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions

How it's used

Focuses on the negative or unwanted consequences of attracting something, such as trouble, criticism, or pests. While it can mean to attract attention, it is most frequently used in contexts where the subject is inviting a headache or an annoyance upon themselves.

Examples

keoi5佢hou2好zung1鍾ji3意je5惹si6事sang1生fei1非，seng4成jat6日tung4同jan4人cou4嘈。

He loves to stir up trouble and is always arguing with people.

le1呢zung3種hoeng1香seoi2水hou2好je5惹man1蚊，nei5你cin1千kei4祈m4唔hou2好pan3噴。

This perfume attracts mosquitoes, you really shouldn't spray it.

Common phrases

je5惹si6事

to stir up trouble

je5惹fo2火

to provoke anger

Common mistake

Do not use this word for positive attraction like romantic interest or general appeal, where 吸引 is the standard choice. Using 惹 in a positive context often sounds like the person is accidentally inviting a nuisance.