baai2 wu1 lung2擺烏龍摆乌龙
Jyutpingbaai2 wu1 lung2
Yalebáai wū lúng
Definition
To make a careless mistake or a blunder due to being careless or unfamiliar with something.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Originating from football terminology where a player accidentally scores a goal for the opposing team, this phrase has evolved into a general term for any blunder caused by carelessness or confusion. It carries a lighthearted, slightly teasing tone rather than a harsh or formal one. You will often hear it used when someone misreads a schedule or forgets a simple instruction.
Examples
He made a silly mistake again this time and got the meeting time wrong.
Are you making a mistake? Why did you go to the wrong place?
Related words
Common phrases
to make a huge blunder
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe serious professional errors or moral failures, as it specifically implies a clumsy or silly mistake that is usually harmless or funny to others.
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.
