gaau1 doi6交待

Jyutpinggaau1 doi6

Yalegāau doih

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To explain oneself, justify one's actions, or give an account, especially after a mistake or problem.

colloquialworkcommunication

How it's used

Carries a sense of accountability or responsibility that goes beyond a simple explanation. It implies that the speaker is in a position where they owe an answer to someone else, often because a task was not completed or a mistake was made. Using this word suggests that the person is trying to clear their name or settle a debt of information.

Examples

nei5你gaau2搞seng4成gam3咁，dim2點joeng2樣tung4同lou5老sai3細gaau1交doi6待aa4呀？

You made such a mess, how are you going to explain this to the boss?

gin2件si6事gaau2搞m4唔dim6掂，ngo5我jat1一ding6定jiu3要gaau1交doi6待cing1清co2楚。

I didn't manage to finish the task, so I must give a clear account of what happened.

Common phrases

gaau1交doi6待cing1清co2楚

explain clearly

mou5冇dak1得gaau1交doi6待

have no way to justify oneself

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of 交代, which can also mean to hand over or pass on a task. In Cantonese, the focus is almost exclusively on the act of explaining or justifying one's actions to someone in authority.