baai3 san4 m4 gin3 gai1拜神唔見雞拜神唔见鸡
Jyutpingbaai3 san4 m4 gin3 gai1
Yalebaai sàhn m̀h gin gāi
Definition
A two-part allegorical saying meaning to mumble, nag, or jabber on, or to go missing at a crucial moment.
- to nag, mumble, or jabber on continuously
- to disappear or go missing at a crucial moment
colloquialcommunicationother
How it's used
This is a classic Cantonese xiehouyu, or two-part allegorical saying. The full phrase is 拜神唔見雞，稟神噉聲, where the second part describes the sound of someone mumbling prayers to a deity. It is primarily used to describe someone who is incessantly nagging or speaking in a low, indistinct, and annoying manner.
Examples
Why are you mumbling like that, speaking so softly and rapidly?
He is just there muttering away, I have no idea what he wants.
Related words
Common phrases
like someone mumbling prayers
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for literally losing a chicken during a ritual, but the meaning is entirely metaphorical. It is rarely used to describe actual theft or loss of property.
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.
