pok3 ci1噗哧
Jyutpingpok3 ci1
Yalepok chī
Definition
To burst out laughing, snicker, or giggle.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Captures the sound of a sudden, suppressed burst of laughter that escapes despite an attempt to stay quiet. It is highly onomatopoeic and often used to describe a moment where someone tries to maintain a serious face but fails. The word is almost exclusively used in narrative contexts or when describing someone's reaction to a funny situation.
Examples
He let out a quiet giggle when he heard the joke.
Why are you giggling? Do you think I'm funny?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with loud, boisterous laughter like 大笑, as it specifically implies a short, muffled, or involuntary sound. It is not used to describe a sustained laughing fit.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
