bat1 lik6不力
Jyutpingbat1 lik6
Yalebāt lihk
Definition
Ineffective; not fulfilling one's duty or not doing one's best.
neutralworkdescriptions
How it's used
Carries a formal and slightly critical tone, often used in professional or administrative contexts to describe someone failing to meet expectations. While it functions as an adjective, it is most commonly paired with verbs like 辦事 or 工作 to describe the quality of performance. It implies a lack of effort or effectiveness rather than just a simple mistake.
Examples
He is very incompetent at work and always messes everything up.
If you think he is not doing his job well, why didn't you say so earlier?
Related words
Common phrases
inefficient in handling matters
poor work performance
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical clumsiness or a simple accident, as it specifically refers to a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility. It is not used to describe someone who is physically weak or unable to lift heavy objects.
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.
