zyut3 jap1啜泣
Jyutpingzyut3 jap1
Yalejyut yāp
Definition
To sob; to weep silently with constant gasping.
writtenemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Describes a specific, quiet, and rhythmic style of crying characterized by intermittent gasps or tremors. It is a more descriptive and literary term than the common 喊, which covers all types of crying. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation unless describing a scene in a story or a very specific emotional state.
Examples
She is sobbing inside the room.
Why are you sobbing all of a sudden?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 抽泣, which focuses more on the physical act of gasping or convulsing while crying. While they are often used interchangeably, 啜泣 emphasizes the sound and the act of sobbing itself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
