kam4 sau3 hang4 wai4禽獸行為禽兽行为
Jyutpingkam4 sau3 hang4 wai4
Yalekàhm sau hàhng wàih
Definition
Beastly conduct; brutish acts that are inhuman or cruel.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This phrase is heavily loaded with moral condemnation and is almost exclusively used to describe severe crimes or acts of extreme cruelty. It functions as a strong label to dehumanize the perpetrator by equating their actions to those of animals. Because of its intensity, it is rarely used in casual conversation unless the speaker is expressing deep disgust or outrage.
Examples
He committed such beastly acts, he really has no humanity.
Why would he commit such a brutish act?
Related words
Common phrases
to commit a beastly act
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply acting silly or rowdy, as that would be a gross exaggeration. It is reserved for serious moral failings or violent behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
