bat1 seoi6不遂
Jyutpingbat1 seoi6
Yalebāt seuih
Definition
Failed to achieve or do something; without success.
writtendaily actionsother
How it's used
Although this term is derived from literary Chinese, it is occasionally used in formal or slightly dramatic spoken contexts to emphasize a sense of finality or resignation regarding a failed endeavor. It carries a more serious or written tone compared to common colloquial expressions like 失敗 or 做唔成. Speakers often use it to summarize a sequence of events that did not go as planned.
Examples
He wanted to go on a trip, but failed in the end.
You have tried so many times and still failed, why not just give up?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the medical term 半身不遂, which refers to hemiplegia or paralysis. When used as a standalone adverb, it strictly refers to a failure in an action or plan, not a physical condition.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
