pei2圮
Jyutpingpei2
Yalepéi
Definition
Destroyed, ruined, or collapsed.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is extremely rare in modern spoken Cantonese and is almost exclusively found in formal, literary, or written contexts. Most native speakers will use 爛 or 毀 instead to describe something that is broken or destroyed. Using it in casual conversation will sound unnatural or overly archaic.
Examples
The house has already been ruined.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners should avoid using this in daily speech as it is not part of the active vocabulary of modern Hong Kongers. It is often confused with 圯, which is even more obscure and specifically refers to the collapse of an embankment or bridge.
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.
