wai5 daai6偉大伟大
Jyutpingwai5 daai6
Yalewáih daaih
Definition
Great, outstanding, or selfless; making significant contributions or sacrifices.
- outstanding, illustrious, or having made a major contribution
- selfless, self-sacrificing, or noble
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often used in a slightly hyperbolic or sentimental way to describe personal sacrifices, especially regarding motherhood or selfless acts. While it carries a sense of grand scale, Cantonese speakers frequently apply it to everyday life to show deep respect for someone's dedication. It sounds much more sincere and less academic than its Mandarin counterpart when used in casual conversation.
Examples
She is truly great for taking care of the family.
Who says being a housewife isn't a great career?
Related words
Common phrases
great maternal love
great contribution
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical size or general professional success, as it specifically implies moral nobility or self-sacrifice. Calling a boss or a rich person 偉大 usually sounds sarcastic or overly dramatic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
