sau6 m4 hei2受唔起
Jyutpingsau6 m4 hei2
Yalesauh m̀h héi
Definition
Unable to accept or unworthy of someone's extreme generosity, kindness, or gifts.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Expresses a sense of unworthiness or humility when receiving excessive praise, gifts, or treatment. It functions as a polite social buffer to deflect potential jealousy or to show respect to the giver by downplaying one's own status. Often used when someone feels the gesture is disproportionate to their actual contribution or relationship.
Examples
You praise me like this, I really feel too flattered to accept it.
How could I possibly accept such a valuable gift?
Related words
Common phrases
too flattered to accept such a big gift
too flattered to accept such great kindness
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 唔受, which is a blunt refusal or rejection of an offer. 受唔起 carries a nuance of feeling overwhelmed by kindness rather than a simple refusal to accept.
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.
