wai2猥
Jyutpingwai2
Yalewái
Definition
Lowly, coarse, or vulgar; humble, cheap, or unworthily.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
The character 猥 is rarely used on its own in modern spoken Cantonese, appearing almost exclusively as part of the compound 猥瑣. This term describes someone who is physically or behaviorally sleazy, creepy, or lacking in dignity. It carries a strong negative connotation and is often used to criticize someone's suspicious or inappropriate conduct in public.
Examples
He is very sleazy and always peeking at people.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 猥瑣 with 猥褻, which refers specifically to indecent assault or sexual harassment. While both share the same root, 猥瑣 is a general descriptor for a person's sleazy demeanor, whereas 猥褻 is a legal or formal term for criminal sexual misconduct.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
