song3 hei3喪氣丧气
Jyutpingsong3 hei3
Yalesong hei
Definition
Unlucky, unfortunate, or bringer of bad luck.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Beyond describing bad luck, this term frequently captures a sense of being disheartened or having low morale. It often describes a person who radiates a defeatist attitude rather than just someone experiencing a string of unfortunate events. Using it to describe a situation implies that the atmosphere itself feels heavy or hopeless.
Examples
He is always so unlucky, it is really hard to deal with.
Why are you so discouraged? Try harder next time.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it strictly means feeling discouraged or dejected. In Cantonese, it can also describe a person who is perceived as a jinx or someone who constantly brings bad luck to others.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
