baak6 fai3 sam1 gei1白費心機白费心机
Jyutpingbaak6 fai3 sam1 gei1
Yalebaahk fai sām gēi
Definition
To waste one's efforts; to take trouble in vain.
colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the futility of an action where the outcome is predetermined to fail. It implies that the person has invested significant mental energy or planning into something that ultimately yields no results. It is frequently used when someone is trying to persuade another person who is clearly unwilling to change their mind.
Examples
Doing it this way is just a waste of effort.
Related words
Common phrases
completely a waste of effort
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 浪費時間, which refers specifically to wasting time. 白費心機 emphasizes the wasted intention, planning, and emotional investment rather than just the duration of the activity.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
