zi6 ai3自縊自缢
Jyutpingzi6 ai3
Yalejih ai
Definition
To hang oneself; to commit suicide by hanging.
writtenother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the act of hanging oneself as a method of suicide. It is a formal and clinical term that appears in news reports, police statements, or medical records rather than in casual conversation. Using it in lighthearted or everyday social settings is considered highly inappropriate and insensitive.
Examples
He couldn't get over it for a moment and actually went to hang himself.
Why did he choose such a painful method as hanging himself?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual speech to describe someone who is simply hanging something up, as it exclusively refers to the act of suicide. For hanging objects, use 掛 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
