taan3 hei3嘆氣叹气
Jyutpingtaan3 hei3
Yaletaan hei
Definition
To sigh, letting out a long breath or making a sound to express sadness or frustration.
Example
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Expressing frustration or resignation through a heavy exhale is the primary function of this verb. It is frequently used to signal that someone is feeling overwhelmed or disappointed by a situation they cannot easily change. Unlike a simple breath, this action is almost always tied to an underlying emotional state.
Examples
He sighed while looking at his test paper; it seems his grades are very poor.
Why are you sighing all of a sudden? Is there something bothering you?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe the physical act of breathing deeply for relaxation, which is better expressed as 抖大氣. Using 嘆氣 in a context where someone is just catching their breath after exercise will sound like they are deeply upset or depressed.
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.
