noi6 gau3內疚内疚
Jyutpingnoi6 gau3
Yalenoih gau
Definition
Guilty and conscience-stricken; feeling remorse or shame for a serious mistake.
neutralemotion
How it's used
Expressing deep regret or a heavy conscience often involves the phrase 良心過意唔去 alongside this word. It carries a more serious and reflective weight compared to simply feeling sorry or apologetic. People use it to describe an internal state of moral discomfort rather than just a social faux pas.
Examples
I feel really guilty for scolding him like that back then.
It is normal to feel guilty when you have done something wrong.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor mistakes or simple social blunders, as it implies a significant moral failing or a serious breach of trust. For minor regrets, use 唔好意思 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
