bui1 seoi2 ce1 san1杯水車薪杯水车薪
Jyutpingbui1 seoi2 ce1 san1
Yalebūi séui chē sān
Definition
lit. a cup of water on a burning cart of firewood (idiom); fig. an utterly inadequate measure
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
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.
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
Learn more on the YumCha blog
Search the dictionary
Dictionary data from CC-Canto and CC-CEDICT, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.