ji3 hei3意氣意气
Jyutpingji3 hei3
Yaleyi hei
Definition
Impulsive emotion, temperament, or personal feelings.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Refers specifically to actions driven by pride, stubbornness, or a sudden emotional surge rather than rational thought. It often carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is acting out of a desire to prove a point or save face. It is frequently used in the phrase 一時意氣 to describe a fleeting moment of poor judgment.
Examples
Don't let a moment of impulse make things so awkward for everyone.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 衝動, which is a broader term for general impulsivity. 意氣 carries a stronger nuance of interpersonal conflict or stubborn pride, whereas 衝動 can apply to any sudden action, such as buying something unnecessary.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
