wai1萎
Jyutpingwai1
Yalewāi
Definition
To shrink or wither.
colloquialnaturedescriptions
How it's used
Primarily functions as a bound morpheme in Cantonese, appearing in compound words related to physical shrinking or wilting. When used as a standalone verb in casual speech, it often carries a sense of losing vitality or physical volume. It is frequently paired with 晒 to emphasize the complete state of wilting or shrinking.
Examples
The flowers have been sitting for a few days and have all withered.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 縮, which is the more common and versatile verb for physical shrinking. Using 萎 to describe general shrinking can sound overly dramatic or clinical, as it carries a stronger connotation of decay or loss of life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
