kwai4 wai4暌違暌违
Jyutpingkwai4 wai4
Yalekwàih wàih
Definition
To part ways or be separated from each other for a long time.
writtenpeopletime
How it's used
This is a formal, literary term that is rarely used in casual spoken Cantonese. It is almost exclusively found in written media, news reports, or formal speeches to describe a long period of separation between people or events. Using it in everyday conversation will sound overly dramatic or pretentious.
Examples
They have been separated for many years and finally met in Hong Kong.
It has been a long time since we last met, how have you been lately?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb, but it functions more like a formal descriptive state. It is not used to describe physical objects being separated, but rather the passage of time between two occurrences or meetings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
