sam1 ap1心ｕｐ
Jyutpingsam1 ap1
Yalesām āp
Definition
To feel sorrowful, unhappy, or distressed.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
This term describes a specific feeling of chest tightness or emotional heaviness caused by sadness or frustration. It is a classic example of Cantonese incorporating English loanwords, as up here functions as a phonetic approximation of the English word up, suggesting a feeling of being blocked or congested in the chest. It is used exclusively for personal feelings of gloom or distress rather than describing external events.
Related words
Common phrases
very heavy-hearted
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with physical chest pain or medical heart conditions, as it is strictly for emotional states. It is also not interchangeable with general sadness like 唔開心, as it carries a more specific nuance of being weighed down or stifled by one's emotions.
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.
