cou2 cou2 liu5 si6草草了事
Jyutpingcou2 cou2 liu5 si6
Yalechóu chóu líuh sih
Definition
To finish a task carelessly, sloppily, or in a rushed manner.
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of disapproval, implying that the person is lazy or lacks professional integrity. It is often used to criticize someone who prioritizes speed over quality, especially when they have the capacity to do better. While it sounds slightly more formal than the common phrase 求其, it is still frequently used in casual workplace or school-related complaints.
Examples
Don't just rush through this; this report is very important.
He always does things sloppily, and ends up needing others to fix his mess.
Related words
Common phrases
to do work in a sloppy manner
to have a careless attitude toward a task
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being fast. It specifically highlights a lack of care and a desire to get the task over with as quickly as possible, rather than just working at a high speed.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
