zi6 caan4自殘自残
Jyutpingzi6 caan4
Yalejih chàahn
Definition
To self-harm; to intentionally hurt or damage oneself.
colloquialhealthemotion
How it's used
This term is used in serious contexts to describe deliberate physical injury to one's own body. It is often associated with mental health struggles and is treated with gravity in conversation. Unlike casual expressions for being hard on oneself, this specifically refers to physical damage.
Examples
Their emotions are very unstable, and they often self-harm.
Related words
Common phrases
self-harming behavior
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe metaphorical self-sabotage, such as missing a deadline or making a bad investment, as it is strictly reserved for physical injury.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
