wai2 wat1委屈
Definition
To feel wronged, or to treat someone unfairly or beneath their abilities.
- to feel wronged or unjustly treated
- to treat someone unfairly or beneath their abilities
How it's used
Focuses on the internal emotional state of feeling slighted or unfairly treated rather than just the objective act of injustice. It is frequently used in interpersonal relationships to express empathy when someone has been forced to endure a situation beneath their capabilities or dignity. Unlike formal written Chinese, it is often paired with particles like 喇 or 呀 to soften the tone when comforting someone.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 冤枉, which specifically refers to being falsely accused of a crime or wrongdoing. 委屈 is broader and can apply to situations where one is simply undervalued or forced to accept a poor outcome without any specific false accusation involved.
Grammar color guide
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.
