gaau2 wo5攪喎搅㖞
Jyutpinggaau2 wo5
Yalegáau wóh
Definition
To mess up, screw up, or spoil something.
colloquialdaily actionsemotion
How it's used
This expression is a highly colloquial way to describe the act of ruining or sabotaging a situation, often implying a sense of frustration or annoyance. It functions as a resultative verb construction where the suffix 喎 adds a layer of emphasis on the negative outcome or the disruption caused. It is frequently used when someone feels that a person's interference has led to an undesirable result.
Examples
Why did you mess up the event?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the simple verb 攪, which just means to do or to handle. Remember that 攪喎 specifically carries the nuance of causing damage or spoiling a plan, whereas 攪 is neutral.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
