jim1奄
Jyutpingjim1
Yaleyīm
Definition
Feeble, weak, or half dead.
colloquialhealthdescriptions
How it's used
This character is rarely used on its own in modern speech, appearing almost exclusively in the reduplicated form 奄奄 or the compound 奄尖. It carries a strong sense of being physically weak or lacking vitality, often used to describe someone recovering from a long illness. When used as 奄尖, it shifts meaning to describe someone who is excessively fastidious or hard to please.
Examples
He is so feeble and listless from the illness, he looks like he has no energy at all.
Don't be so picky and fussy with your work, hurry up.
Related words
Common phrases
on the verge of death
extremely fussy and annoying
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 奄 with 醃, which refers to marinating food or pickling. While they may share similar sounds in some contexts, they are distinct in both meaning and usage.
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.
