teoi4頹颓
Jyutpingteoi4
Yaletèuih
Definition
Dejected, dispirited, or listless; lacking energy, passion, and hope.
colloquialemotionslang
How it's used
Originally describing a state of decay or collapse, this word has evolved into a popular slang term for a lack of motivation or a low-energy lifestyle. It is frequently used to describe a state of being 'bummed out' or simply choosing to do nothing productive because one feels drained. It often carries a sense of self-deprecating humor rather than genuine clinical depression.
Examples
He has been very listless lately, hiding in his room all the time.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal word 頹廢, which implies a more serious state of moral or physical decay. In daily speech, 頹 is much lighter and can even describe a relaxed, 'lazy' weekend where you intentionally choose not to do anything.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
