dou2 mui4倒霉
Jyutpingdou2 mui4
Yaledóu mùih
Definition
Unlucky; having bad luck.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Native speakers prefer the phrase 唔好彩 over 倒霉 in most casual daily situations. While 倒霉 is widely understood, it carries a slightly more literary or Mandarin-influenced tone compared to the purely Cantonese 唔好彩. Using 唔好彩 sounds more natural and fits the rhythm of local speech better.
Examples
I am really having bad luck today, it started pouring as soon as I left the house.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 倒霉 as a direct translation for unlucky, but it specifically refers to a state of being down on one's luck or experiencing a streak of misfortune. It is not used to describe a person who is inherently unlucky in life, which would be better expressed as 運氣差.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
