sok3 hei3索氣索气
Jyutpingsok3 hei3
Yalesok hei
Definition
To pant, gasp, or be out of breath from heavy exertion.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Focuses on the audible and visible effort of breathing heavily, often due to physical exertion or intense emotion. It is frequently used with the particle 晒 to emphasize that someone is completely winded or exhausted. While it describes the physical act, it is also used figuratively to describe someone who is overwhelmed or struggling to keep up with a heavy workload.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 索, which can mean to inhale or sniff something like glue or drugs. When used for breathing, it specifically implies the labored, heavy breathing of someone who is physically spent.
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.
