mun6 hei3悶氣闷气
Jyutpingmun6 hei3
Yalemuhn hei
Definition
To feel depressed or stifled; also refers to stuffy air, or pent-up anger.
- stuffy, stale, or suffocating air
- pent-up anger, resentment, or a sulky mood
- boredom; feeling depressed and stifled
colloquialemotionhome
How it's used
This word functions as both an adjective describing a physical environment that lacks ventilation and a verb describing the act of bottling up negative emotions. When used for emotions, it implies a quiet, internal frustration rather than an outward explosion of anger. It captures the feeling of being trapped in a space or a mood.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 悶, which is the general state of being bored or dull. 悶氣 specifically carries the nuance of being trapped or stifled, either by air or by suppressed feelings.
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.
