gan1 sau2 mei5跟手尾
Jyutpinggan1 sau2 mei5
Yalegān sáu méih
Definition
To follow up on and finish a task left incomplete by someone else.
colloquialwork
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of frustration and implies that the previous person was incompetent or irresponsible. It is specifically used in professional or collaborative settings where someone has failed to complete their duties properly. The phrase is almost always used to complain about a colleague or subordinate.
Examples
He works so sloppily, I have to clean up his mess every time.
Related words
Common phrases
always cleaning up someone's mess
to help someone finish their botched work
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply helping someone. It specifically implies that the original person left the work in a bad state or failed to finish it, requiring someone else to fix or complete it.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
