mei4彌弥
Jyutpingmei4
Yalemèih
Definition
More and more; increasingly.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is primarily found in formal idioms or literary expressions rather than everyday spoken Cantonese. It functions as a formal alternative to 愈 or 越 when describing a state that intensifies over time. You will almost exclusively encounter it in set phrases like 彌堅 or 彌深, where it adds a sense of gravity or classical elegance.
Examples
The older he gets, the stronger his health becomes.
This storm has made their relationship even deeper.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common spoken word, but using it in casual conversation will sound unnatural or overly pretentious. Stick to 愈嚟愈 for daily speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
