bun3 haam4 bun3 taam5半鹹半淡
Jyutpingbun3 haam4 bun3 taam5
Yalebun hàahm bun táahm
Definition
Having poorly mastered a language or skill; speaking with a heavy accent or broken grammar.
colloquialdescriptionscommunication
How it's used
Describes a state of being neither one thing nor another, often implying a lack of proficiency or commitment. While it can refer to a mix of two languages, it is frequently used to criticize someone who has only a superficial grasp of a skill. It carries a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting that the person has not put in enough effort to become truly competent.
Examples
His English is half-baked, it is really hard to understand.
Related words
Common phrases
to speak a language poorly or with a heavy accent
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe food that is literally bland or under-seasoned, as it is strictly metaphorical for skill or language proficiency.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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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.
