gaai3懈

Jyutpinggaai3

Yalegaai

Definition

Slack, lax, or unfocused; negligent or careless in attitude.

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How it's used

Primarily functions as a morpheme in compound words like 鬆懈 or 懈怠, but can be used as an adjective in casual speech to describe someone who is being lazy or inattentive. It carries a slightly stronger sense of moral or professional failure compared to just being tired. It implies a lack of discipline or a failure to maintain necessary standards.

Examples

zou6做je5嘢m4唔hou2好gam3咁haai6懈，zyun1專sam1心di1啲laa1啦。

Don't be so slack at work, focus a bit.

nei5你zeoi3最gan6近hai6係mai6咪hou2好haai6懈aa4呀？

Have you been very slack lately?

Common phrases

sung1鬆haai6懈

slack off

haai6懈toi5怠

negligent

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 懶, which is a general term for laziness. 懈 specifically highlights a lack of focus or a drop in vigilance after a period of effort, rather than a general personality trait of being lazy.