kei3冀
Jyutpingkei3
Yalekei
Definition
To hope, wish, or expect.
writtenemotion
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in the compound 希冀 in modern Cantonese. It functions as a formal, literary morpheme and is rarely used as a standalone verb in spoken language. For everyday speech, native speakers will always prefer using 希望.
Examples
He hopes the future will be better.
Related words
Common phrases
to hope or wish for
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a standalone verb in casual conversation, which sounds jarringly unnatural or overly poetic. Stick to using it only within the set phrase 希冀 when writing formally.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
