bei2 gwai2 mai4俾鬼迷
Jyutpingbei2 gwai2 mai4
Yalebéi gwái màih
Definition
To be put under a spell, bewitched, or possessed by a ghost or spirit.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Used metaphorically to describe someone acting completely out of character or making irrational decisions, as if their judgment has been clouded by supernatural forces. It is a common way to express frustration with someone's uncharacteristic behavior without literally implying ghost involvement. The tone is often exasperated or teasing rather than genuinely fearful.
Examples
Are you bewitched? Why are you doing such stupid things?
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe actual medical conditions or mental health issues, as it is strictly a colloquial idiom for poor decision-making or strange behavior. It is also not used to describe being physically lost or confused in a literal sense.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
