gau2 m4 daap3 baat3九唔搭八
Jyutpinggau2 m4 daap3 baat3
Yalegáu m̀h daap baat
Definition
Irrelevant, nonsensical, or completely unrelated.
colloquialcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe someone whose words or actions are completely disconnected from the current context or topic. It implies a lack of logic or coherence, often suggesting that the person is either confused or intentionally being difficult. It is a very common way to call out someone for making a non sequitur in a conversation.
Examples
What you are saying is completely irrelevant, I have no idea what you want.
His answer was totally off-topic, he clearly wasn't listening to anyone.
Related words
Common phrases
to speak irrelevantly
to give an irrelevant answer
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being wrong or incorrect. It specifically describes a situation where the response has no logical connection to the subject at hand, like answering a question about the weather by talking about your favorite food.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
