zoi1災灾
Jyutpingzoi1
Yalejōi
Definition
Disaster, calamity, or catastrophe; an event that causes destruction and ruin.
neutralother
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in compound words rather than as a standalone noun in everyday speech. It carries a heavy, serious tone often associated with large scale destruction or misfortune. When describing a specific unfortunate event, speakers usually prefer more descriptive terms like 意外 or 慘劇.
Examples
This year is really full of disasters and hardships.
Related words
Common phrases
natural disaster
fire disaster
Common mistake
Avoid using it as a standalone word to describe a minor accident or a simple mistake, as it implies a level of catastrophe or widespread suffering that would sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.
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.
