git3 git3 baa1 baa1結結巴巴结结巴巴
Jyutpinggit3 git3 baa1 baa1
Yalegit git bā bā
Definition
Stuttering; stammering; speaking in a hesitant or non-fluent manner.
colloquialdescriptionscommunication
How it's used
This expression is used to describe someone who is struggling to articulate their thoughts clearly, often due to nervousness, fear, or being caught in a lie. While it describes the act of stuttering, it is more commonly applied to temporary hesitation in speech rather than a permanent speech impediment. It carries a slightly judgmental or observational tone when pointing out someone's lack of confidence or guilt.
Examples
keoi5佢jat1一gin3見dou2到neoi5女san4神zau6就git3結git3結baa1巴baa1巴，gong2講m4唔ceot1出jat1一geoi3句jyun4完zing2整ge3嘅geoi3句zi2子。
He stutters whenever he sees his crush, unable to finish a complete sentence.
Related words
Common phrases
to speak in a stuttering manner
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 口窒窒, which is a more common and natural way to describe the same state of stuttering in casual Cantonese. Using 結結巴巴 can sound slightly more descriptive or literary compared to the very colloquial 口窒窒.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
