kei4祈
Jyutpingkei4
Yalekèih
Definition
To pray to a deity, or to make a request or wish.
- to pray to a deity
- to request, wish, or implore
writtenother
How it's used
Functions almost exclusively as a bound morpheme in formal or religious compounds rather than as a standalone verb in daily speech. It carries a solemn, reverent tone associated with spiritual or formal requests. When expressing the act of praying in a casual, everyday context, speakers prefer using 禱告 or 祈禱 as a single unit.
Examples
He is praying inside the church.
Are you looking to pray for peace?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word as a standalone verb to mean 'to ask' or 'to beg' in casual situations, as it sounds overly formal or archaic. Use 請求 or 叫 instead for everyday requests.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
