bou1 mou4 mai5 zuk1煲無米粥煲无米粥

Jyutpingbou1 mou4 mai5 zuk1

Yalebōu mòuh máih jūk

Definition

To make plans that are never realized or confirmed.

colloquialslangcommunication

How it's used

This idiom vividly describes a situation where someone makes a promise or sets a plan that they have no intention or ability to fulfill. It carries a sense of frustration or cynicism, as the listener is left with nothing to show for the talk, much like trying to cook porridge without any rice. It is frequently used to call out people who are all talk and no action.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日waa6話ceng2請sik6食faan6飯，zeoi3最hau6後jau6又hai6係bou1煲mou4無mai5米zuk1粥。

He always says he will treat me to a meal, but in the end, it is just empty talk.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪jau6又soeng2想bou1煲mou4無mai5米zuk1粥，gong2講jyun4完zau6就syun3算aa4呀？

Are you planning to make empty promises again, just saying it and forgetting it?

Common phrases

jau6又bou1煲mou4無mai5米zuk1粥

making empty promises again

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being busy or forgetful. It implies a lack of sincerity or a deliberate failure to follow through, so using it for a genuine mistake can sound overly harsh or accusatory.