dau3 saai1鬥嘥斗嘥
Jyutpingdau3 saai1
Yaledau sāai
Definition
To compete with each other on wastefulness, or to slander each other.
- to compete with each other on wastefulness
- to slander each other
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of disapproval, describing a childish or spiteful competition where people try to outdo each other in squandering resources or trashing reputations. It is frequently used to criticize people who engage in petty one-upmanship rather than productive activities. The focus is on the mutual, often destructive, nature of the competition.
Examples
The two of them are always competing to see who can waste more, it is really boring.
Related words
Common phrases
compete to see who can waste more time
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general competition like 鬥快 or 鬥勁, but 鬥嘥 specifically implies a negative, wasteful, or spiteful context that reflects poorly on those involved.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
