gaau2 dou3 jat1 wok6 pou5搞到一鑊泡搞到一镬泡
Jyutpinggaau2 dou3 jat1 wok6 pou5
Yalegáau dou yāt wohk póuh
Definition
To make a complete mess; to cause havoc or turn something into a total disaster.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
The imagery of 鑊泡 refers to the bubbles that form in a wok when cooking, suggesting a situation that has boiled over or become chaotic. It is used exclusively to describe a situation that has gone wrong due to someone's incompetence or interference. It carries a strong sense of frustration and often implies that the person responsible needs to fix the mess they created.
Examples
He made such a huge mess, how is he going to clean it up?
Don't make a mess of things again, it's annoying enough already.
Related words
Common phrases
to make a complete mess of things
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to describe a physical mess like a messy room, as it specifically refers to a situation, project, or sequence of events that has turned into a disaster.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
