gai1 doeng1 m4 tyun5雞啄唔斷鸡啄唔断
Jyutpinggai1 doeng1 m4 tyun5
Yalegāi dēung m̀h tyúhn
Definition
To chat or talk incessantly; to have a conversation that never seems to end.
colloquialcommunicationslang
How it's used
This idiom vividly captures the image of chickens pecking at the ground, suggesting a rapid, continuous, and often noisy flow of speech. It is almost exclusively used to describe two or more people who are deeply engrossed in a private or enthusiastic conversation. While it implies a lack of pauses, it is generally used in a lighthearted or observational way rather than as a harsh criticism.
Examples
The two of them just keep chatting non-stop whenever they meet.
Do you two have so much to talk about that you just can't stop?
Related words
Common phrases
talking non-stop
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a formal speech or a professional presentation, as the idiom specifically refers to casual, informal chatter between people. It is also not used to describe a single person talking to themselves.
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.
