gau2 ce2苟且

Jyutpinggau2 ce2

Yalegáu ché

副詞Rare

Definition

To do something carelessly or perfunctorily; to drift along and just get by.

colloquialdescriptionswork

How it's used

Carries a negative connotation of lacking ambition or standards, often implying that someone is just getting by with the bare minimum. It is frequently used to criticize a lack of thoroughness or a passive attitude toward life or tasks. While it appears in formal idioms, it is also used in daily speech to describe someone who is sloppy or lazy in their approach.

Examples

zou6做je5嘢m4唔hou2好gam3咁gau2苟ce2且，jiu3要jing2認zan1真di1啲。

Don't be so perfunctory with your work, be more serious.

keoi5佢zou6做jan4人hou2好gau2苟ce2且，mou5冇mat1乜muk6目biu1標。

He just drifts through life without any goals.

Common phrases

gau2苟ce2且tau1偷sang1生

to drift along and live without purpose

gau2苟ce2且liu5了si6事

to do something perfunctorily just to get it over with

Common mistake

Avoid using this to mean simply 'lazy' or 'tired'. It specifically describes the act of doing something in a careless, perfunctory, or 'good enough' manner rather than a lack of physical energy.