ngau1 hei2勾起

Jyutpingngau1 hei2

Yalengāu héi

動詞Common

Definition

To evoke, induce, or call to mind memories or feelings.

colloquialemotiondaily actions

How it's used

Focuses specifically on the involuntary nature of memory retrieval, often triggered by an external stimulus like a smell, sound, or object. It carries a slightly more dramatic or poignant weight than simply saying 諗起, as it implies the memory was previously buried or dormant. It is almost exclusively used with abstract nouns like 回憶 or 往事.

Examples

le1呢sau2首go1歌ngau1勾hei2起zo2咗ngo5我hou2好do1多tung4童nin4年wui4回jik1憶。

This song evoked a lot of my childhood memories.

gin3見dou3到le1呢gin6件gau6舊saam1衫，wui2會m4唔wui2會ngau1勾hei2起nei5你di1啲soeng1傷sam1心si6事aa1呀？

Seeing this old shirt, will it bring up any sad memories for you?

Common phrases

ngau1勾hei2起wui4回jik1憶

to evoke memories

ngau1勾hei2起wong5往si6事

to bring up the past

Common mistake

Avoid using this to mean simply remembering something on purpose, as it implies the memory is being pulled to the surface by an outside force. It is not interchangeable with 記得, which describes the state of having a memory rather than the act of it being triggered.