dau2 muk6抖木
Jyutpingdau2 muk6
Yaledáu muhk
Definition
To do woodwork, or to drive a vehicle terribly.
- to do woodwork; to do carpentry
- slangto drive a vehicle terribly or recklessly
colloquialworktransport
How it's used
Originally referring to carpentry, this term has evolved into a common slang expression for someone who handles a vehicle or machine with extreme clumsiness. It implies that the person is so bad at the task that they might as well be doing manual labor with wood instead of operating a modern machine. The shift from a professional trade to a derogatory remark about driving skills is a classic example of how Cantonese slang repurposes everyday verbs.
Examples
He is always doing woodwork at home and has made many chairs.
You are driving so slowly, are you driving like a total amateur?
Related words
Common phrases
doing woodwork / driving badly
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe actual professional carpentry in a formal setting, as the slang connotation of being incompetent is very strong. When someone says you are 抖木 while driving, they are mocking your lack of coordination or speed.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
