kiu5 lei6繑脷
Jyutpingkiu5 lei6
Yalekíuh leih
Definition
Hard to pronounce; causing one to be tongue-tied or unable to speak smoothly.
colloquialbodycommunication
How it's used
Literally meaning to twist or coil the tongue, this term captures the physical sensation of struggling to articulate specific sounds or sequences. It is frequently used to describe the effect of alcohol intoxication on speech, where the tongue feels heavy and uncooperative. Beyond physical impairment, it is also commonly applied to tongue twisters or complex foreign loanwords that are difficult for native speakers to pronounce naturally.
Examples
This word is so hard to read, I'm tripping over my tongue.
Did you drink too much? Why are you slurring your words?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply having a lisp or a speech impediment, as it specifically refers to the temporary difficulty of getting words out correctly rather than a permanent condition.
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.
