wai5韙韪

Jyutpingwai5

Yalewáih

Definition

Correct, proper, or right.

writtendescriptions

How it's used

This character is almost exclusively found in the formal idiom 是非曲直, where it refers to the concept of rightness. It is rarely used as a standalone adjective in modern spoken Cantonese, and using it in casual conversation will likely sound overly literary or pretentious. Most speakers prefer using 啱 or 正確 to express the idea of being correct.

Examples

ni1呢go3個zou6做faat3法mei6未bit1必hai6係wai5韙。

This approach might not be correct.

nei5你gok3覺dak1得keoi5佢gam3咁joeng2樣zou6做hai6係wai5韙aa4呀？

Do you think what he did is proper?

Common phrases

si6是fei1非kuk1曲zik6直

right and wrong

Common mistake

Learners should avoid using this in daily speech as it sounds archaic and unnatural. It is essentially a literary term that has been largely replaced by common colloquial alternatives.