wai1 haak3威嚇威吓

Jyutpingwai1 haak3

Yalewāi haak

名詞Uncommon

Definition

To intimidate, threaten, or cow someone with a powerful force or presence.

neutralpeoplecommunication

How it's used

While 威嚇 carries a formal tone often found in news reports or legal contexts, it is increasingly used in daily speech to describe aggressive behavior. It implies a sense of power imbalance where the perpetrator uses their status or physical presence to coerce someone. It is distinct from 恐嚇, which specifically refers to the act of making a direct threat of harm or illegal action.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日jung6用bou6暴lik6力wai1威haak3嚇di1啲sai3細lou6路。

He always uses violence to intimidate the children.

nei5你m4唔hou2好nam2諗zyu6住jung6用le1呢ziu1招lai4嚟wai1威haak3嚇ngo5我aa4呀。

Don't you even think about using this trick to threaten me.

Common phrases

jin4言jyu5語wai1威haak3嚇

verbal intimidation

wai1威haak3嚇sau2手dyun6段

intimidation tactics

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 威嚇 with 威脅. While they are similar, 威脅 is more commonly used for general threats or risks, whereas 威嚇 focuses specifically on the act of intimidation through a display of strength or aggressive posturing.