bou3 fai3報廢报废
Jyutpingbou3 fai3
Yalebou fai
Definition
To be declared useless or obsolete, especially for equipment or goods that can no longer be used or fail to meet standards.
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
Often used in formal or technical contexts regarding machinery or vehicles, yet it frequently appears in casual speech when describing something damaged beyond repair. It carries a sense of finality, implying that the object has no remaining value or utility. While it can apply to abstract concepts like plans or documents, it is most commonly associated with physical assets.
Examples
That old computer has already been scrapped.
The car is smashed up so badly, does it need to be written off?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 廢除, which is used for laws, systems, or policies. 報廢 is specifically for physical objects that have reached the end of their functional life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
