gaau2 mat1 gwai2搞乜鬼
Jyutpinggaau2 mat1 gwai2
Yalegáau māt gwái
Definition
What on earth are you doing? What the hell is going on?
colloquialcommunicationslang
How it's used
Adding 鬼 to a question acts as an intensifier that conveys frustration, confusion, or annoyance. It is significantly more informal than simply asking 搞乜, which is a neutral way to ask what someone is doing. Use this phrase when you are genuinely baffled by a situation or someone's behavior.
Examples
What on earth are you doing there?
What is going on with the power cuts all the time?
Related words
Common phrases
What the heck is going on
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal settings or with people you do not know well, as the inclusion of 鬼 can sound aggressive or rude depending on your tone of voice.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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.
