wai4 mong4遺忘遗忘
Jyutpingwai4 mong4
Yalewàih mòhng
Definition
To forget.
writtenother
How it's used
This word carries a literary or formal tone that is rarely used in casual daily speech. Most speakers prefer using 唔記得 when talking about everyday lapses in memory. Using 遺忘 often implies a sense of fading away over time or being intentionally left behind, making it more common in written contexts or emotional narratives.
Examples
It seems like he has forgotten our appointment.
History should not be forgotten by people.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this word in place of 唔記得 for simple things like forgetting keys or a name, which sounds overly dramatic or stiff. Reserve it for abstract concepts or significant events rather than routine forgetfulness.
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.
