wai6 hau2胃口
Jyutpingwai6 hau2
Yalewaih háu
Definition
Appetite; a person's desire or interest in eating.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Focus on the physical desire to consume food rather than the act of eating itself. It is frequently paired with verbs like 冇 or 好 to describe the state of one's hunger. Unlike formal terms, it carries a casual tone suitable for discussing daily health or meal preferences.
Examples
The weather is so hot, I really don't have much of an appetite.
Are you feeling unwell today? Why don't you have an appetite?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to mean 'taste' or 'preference' in a general sense, as it specifically refers to the biological urge to eat. Do not confuse it with 口味, which refers to a person's preference for certain flavors or types of cuisine.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
