si1 bou6施暴
Jyutpingsi1 bou6
Yalesī bouh
Definition
To commit violence or attack someone violently.
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How it's used
This term is formal and typically reserved for news reports, legal contexts, or serious discussions regarding criminal acts. It carries a heavy, grave tone that makes it sound unnatural in casual, everyday conversation. When describing physical fights or scuffles between friends or peers, speakers prefer using 打架 or 郁手.
Examples
That person attacked a passerby violently in the back alley.
Why did he have to attack the girl violently?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe minor physical altercations or playful roughhousing, as it specifically implies a serious, often criminal, act of violence. Using it in a lighthearted context will sound jarring and overly dramatic.
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.
