lei6 hoi6利害
Jyutpinglei6 hoi6
Yaleleih hoih
Definition
Advantages and disadvantages; pros and cons; gain and loss.
neutralother
How it's used
Pronounced with the same tones as the adjective meaning impressive or fierce, this noun form is strictly about weighing outcomes. It is almost exclusively used in the formal compound 利害關係, which refers to a vested interest or the stakes involved in a situation. Using it outside of this specific collocation can sound quite literary or stiff in casual conversation.
Examples
The pros and cons of this matter are significant, so think it through.
Related words
Common phrases
vested interest or stakes
to weigh the pros and cons
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this noun with the very common adjective 利害, which means impressive, intense, or formidable. In spoken Cantonese, the adjective is frequently used to describe someone's skill or a difficult situation, whereas the noun usage is restricted to formal discussions about consequences.
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.
