tyun5 hei3斷氣断气
Jyutpingtyun5 hei3
Yaletyúhn hei
Definition
To draw one's last breath; to die.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
While literally referring to the moment of death, this term is frequently used in hyperbole to describe being extremely exhausted or overwhelmed by frustration. When used in this figurative sense, it often implies that a situation is so intense that it feels physically suffocating. It is common to hear it paired with 激到 to emphasize that someone's behavior is causing extreme distress.
Examples
He is so sick he looks like he is dying.
If you keep talking, I will literally be out of breath!
Related words
Common phrases
so angry that one can barely breathe
about to die or about to lose one's breath
Common mistake
Avoid using this in a formal or medical context to describe someone simply having difficulty breathing, as it carries a strong connotation of impending death. For general shortness of breath, use 唞唔到氣 instead.
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.
