lin4 oi3憐愛怜爱
Jyutpinglin4 oi3
Yalelìhn oi
Definition
To have tender affection for someone or an animal, especially out of pity or a desire to comfort them.
neutralemotionpeople
How it's used
This term carries a specific nuance of pity mixed with love, often triggered by seeing someone or something in a vulnerable or unfortunate state. It is deeper and more protective than simply liking someone. It is frequently used in literary contexts or when describing a strong emotional response to someone's hardship.
Examples
Seeing the stray cat, she felt a surge of tender affection and wanted to take it home.
Why do you have such tender affection for this child?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe romantic love between partners, as it implies a sense of superiority or pity that would be inappropriate in a peer relationship. It is reserved for those who are perceived as needing care or protection.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
