bun3 je6 sik6 wong4 gwaa1半夜食黃瓜半夜食黄瓜
Jyutpingbun3 je6 sik6 wong4 gwaa1
Yalebun yeh sihk wòhng gwā
Definition
To not know the beginning or the end of a story; to be unaware of the full situation.
colloquialother
How it's used
This idiom relies on the imagery of eating a cucumber in the dark, where one cannot see the ends of the vegetable. It is used to describe someone who is clueless about the context or the beginning and end of a sequence of events. It carries a slightly playful or mocking tone, suggesting the person is missing the bigger picture.
Examples
You haven't figured out the whole situation yet, you're totally in the dark.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply stupid or uneducated. It specifically refers to being uninformed about a particular, ongoing situation or story.
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.
