daai6 se4 o1 si2大蛇痾屎大蛇疴屎
Jyutpingdaai6 se4 o1 si2
Yaledaaih sèh ō sí
Definition
To do something with great momentum at the beginning, but with little to show for it in the end.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Describes someone who is extremely slow, inefficient, or hesitant when completing a task. The imagery comes from the observation that a large snake defecates very slowly and with great effort, making it a vivid metaphor for procrastination or lack of urgency. It carries a strong sense of frustration from the observer.
Examples
You work like a constipated snake, so slow.
He is dragging his feet with the work, when will it ever be finished?
Related words
Common phrases
to work in a very slow and inefficient manner
Common mistake
Avoid using this in professional or formal settings, as it is a crude and insulting idiom that compares a person's work ethic to bodily functions.
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.
