si1 gaa1施加
Jyutpingsi1 gaa1
Yalesī gā
Definition
To exert or impose, such as adding extra pressure or conditions to a situation.
writtenworkother
How it's used
Formal in tone, this word is primarily used in written contexts, news reports, or serious discussions rather than casual conversation. It almost always requires an object that represents a negative or burdensome force, such as 壓力, 限制, or 影響. While it functions as a verb, it feels stiff and academic when used in spoken Cantonese, where people would more naturally use phrases like 畀壓力 or 搞咁多限制.
Examples
They keep exerting pressure on me.
Related words
Common phrases
to exert pressure
to exert influence
to impose restrictions
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it in everyday situations where a simpler verb like 畀 or 加 would be more natural. It is not used for positive things like giving a gift or adding sugar to coffee.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
