pei2鄙
Jyutpingpei2
Yalepéi
Definition
Lowly, vulgar, or of poor quality.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This morpheme rarely stands alone in modern Cantonese and is almost exclusively found in compound words. It carries a strong sense of moral or social inferiority, often describing behavior that lacks refinement or decency. It is significantly more formal than everyday slang used to describe someone as bad or annoying.
Examples
He speaks very vulgarly, he really has no manners.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 卑, which sounds similar but relates to humbleness or low status rather than moral vulgarity. Using 鄙 in casual speech to describe a person directly can sound overly literary or harsh.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
