wai4 au2圍毆围殴
Jyutpingwai4 au2
Yalewàih áu
Definition
To surround and beat someone up; to gang up on and assault a smaller number of people.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of injustice and cowardice, as it implies an unfair fight where a group targets a single individual. It is frequently used in news reports regarding street violence or bullying incidents. Unlike general words for fighting, this specifically highlights the act of surrounding and overwhelming the victim.
Examples
They ganged up on one person, that is really low.
Was that boy beaten up by a group?
Related words
Common phrases
to be beaten up by a gang
Common mistake
Do not use this for a fair fight between two people, as the core meaning relies on the numerical imbalance of the attackers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
