tam5氹
Jyutpingtam5
Yaletáhm
Definition
To coax, cheer up, or make someone happy.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This verb implies a deliberate effort to soothe, coax, or flatter someone, often to resolve a conflict or improve their mood. It is frequently used in romantic or family contexts where one person is upset and the other tries to restore harmony. The character is also used in the noun form 氹 for a small pool or puddle, but the verb usage is distinct and very common in daily speech.
Examples
He really knows how to charm girls and make them happy.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general words for making someone happy, but it specifically carries the nuance of coaxing or pacifying someone who is currently unhappy or annoyed.
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.
