bat1 zung1 jung6不中用
Jyutpingbat1 zung1 jung6
Yalebāt jūng yungh
Definition
Unfit for anything; useless
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Carries a slightly more critical or dismissive tone than simply saying 冇用. It specifically highlights a failure to function as intended or a mismatch between the object and the task at hand. It is often used to express frustration when something looks promising but fails to perform.
Examples
le1 bou6 gei1 maai5 zo2 faan1 lai4 dou1 hai6 bat1 zung1 jung6 gaa3 zaa3 / zaa4
呢部機買咗返嚟都係不中用㗎咋。
This machine is useless even after I bought it back.
nei5 maai5 ni1 di1 je5 faan1 lai4 bat1 zung1 jung6 zou6 me1 aa4
你買呢啲嘢返嚟不中用，做咩呀？
Why did you buy these useless things back?
Related words
Common phrases
hou2 tai2 m4 hou2 jung6
好睇唔好用
pleasant to the eye but useless
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 冇用, which is a general statement of uselessness. 不中用 implies a specific failure in utility or function, often suggesting that the item is a waste of effort or money.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
