kam4噙
Jyutpingkam4
Yalekàhm
Definition
To hold in the mouth or eyes, such as tears, saliva, or food.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
This verb specifically describes holding something inside the mouth or eyes without swallowing or shedding it. It implies a state of being filled or brimming, often used when describing tears that are about to fall but are still contained. It is distinct from simply putting something in the mouth, as it emphasizes the act of keeping it there.
Examples
She has two tears welling up in her eyes.
Related words
Common phrases
tears welling up in eyes
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 咬, which means to bite. While 咬 involves using teeth to apply pressure, 噙 is purely about holding something in the mouth cavity, often passively or gently.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
