ngaai4 ji6 hei3捱義氣挨义气

Jyutpingngaai4 ji6 hei3

Yalengàaih yih hei

動詞

Definition

To do a favor or help a friend out of loyalty, even if it is reluctant or disadvantageous.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

Implies a sense of personal sacrifice or inconvenience taken on behalf of a friend. It is not used for simple favors, but specifically for situations where you would rather not be involved or might suffer a negative consequence, such as losing sleep, money, or face. The term highlights the social bond and the moral obligation felt toward one's peers.

Examples

keoi5佢giu3叫ngo5我ngaai4捱ji6義hei3氣bong1幫sau2手，ngo5我dim2點hou2好ji3意si1思keoi5拒zyut6絕aa4呀？

He asked me to do him a favor out of loyalty, how could I refuse?

wai6為zo2咗ngaai4捱ji6義hei3氣，ngo5我pui4陪keoi5佢tung1通siu1宵zou6做maai4埋fan2份bou3報gou3告。

Out of loyalty, I stayed up all night with him to finish the report.

Common phrases

ngaai4捱ji6義hei3氣bong1幫sau2手

to help out of loyalty

ngaai4捱ji6義hei3氣ding2頂zau2酒

to drink on someone's behalf out of loyalty

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with simple helping, but it specifically requires a sense of reluctance or sacrifice. Do not use it for tasks you are happy or eager to do, as that would diminish the weight of the loyalty being expressed.