leoi4 hei3雷氣雷气
Jyutpingleoi4 hei3
Yalelèuih hei
Definition
Loyalty to friends, especially the code of brotherhood among gang members.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
雷氣 carries a strong connotation of street-level brotherhood and underworld ethics, distinguishing it from the more general and socially acceptable 義氣. While 義氣 can be used in almost any context involving moral integrity, 雷氣 is specifically tied to the idea of sticking by your friends through thick and thin, often despite the consequences. It implies a code of conduct that prioritizes personal loyalty over mainstream rules or laws.
Examples
He is very loyal; he will definitely help if you are in trouble.
How can you still call yourself loyal after doing something like that?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word in professional or formal settings, as it strongly signals an association with gang culture or a rough, unrefined social circle. Using it to describe a colleague or a boss would sound bizarre and potentially offensive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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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.
