衰
seoi1
In Cantonese, the word for bad is 衰 (seoi1).
The word 衰 is used colloquially to describe someone being 'bad' in a way that implies they are unlucky or that things are going poorly. To say someone is 'very bad' or 'very unlucky', you can add the intensifier 好 (good/very) before 衰 to get 好衰. Adding the noun person (人) after 衰 creates the phrase 衰人, which refers to a person who is 'bad' or behaves poorly.
Meaning: unfavorable, negative (adj)
Which one should you use?
The phrase 不好 (bat1 hou2) means 'not good' and is used to describe something or someone as 'bad' in a polite manner. The phrase 壞咗 (waai6 zo2) means 'gone bad' and is used colloquially to describe something as 'bad' or 'spoiled'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 差勁 (caa1 geng6) is a regional variation used in Hong Kong Cantonese to mean 'bad' or 'lousy'.
How do you pronounce it?
seoi1
Did you know?
- Using 好衰 to describe a friend can sometimes be an affectionate way of calling them 'cheeky' or 'a rascal' depending on the tone.
- The word 衰 (seoi1) can also be used as a verb meaning 'to lose' or 'to suffer a defeat', particularly in gambling or competitive contexts.
- The word 衰 is closely linked to the concept of 'decay' or 'decline' in classical contexts, linking physical rot to bad luck.
Examples in context
- 呢件事真係好衰。nei1 gin6 si6 zan1 hai6 hou2 seoi1.This matter is really bad.
- 佢個性格好衰。keoi5 go3 sing3 gaak3 hou2 seoi1.His personality is very bad.
- 唔好做衰嘢。m4 hou2 zou6 seoi1 je5.Don't do bad things.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a bad day at work.
- 家明 Ka Ming家明：你今日點樣？Gaa1 ming4: nei5 gam1 jat6 dim2 joeng2?Ka Ming: How was your day today?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung曉彤：好衰，我做錯咗好多嘢。Hiu2 tung4: hou2 seoi1, ngo5 zo6 co3 zo2 hou2 do1 je5.Hiu Tung: Very bad, I made a lot of mistakes.
- 家明 Ka Ming家明：唔緊要，聽日會好啲。Gaa1 ming4: m4 gan2 jiu3, ting1 jat6 wui5 hou2 di1.Ka Ming: It's okay, tomorrow will be better.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung曉彤：希望係咁。Hiu2 tung4: hei1 mong6 hai6 gam2.Hiu Tung: I hope so.
