goi1 sei2 lo3該死囉该死啰
Jyutpinggoi1 sei2 lo3
Yalegōi séi lo
Definition
Serves you right, or serves them right.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of schadenfreude or moral judgment, implying that the negative outcome is a direct and deserved consequence of the person's own poor choices. It is almost exclusively used to comment on someone else's misfortune rather than one's own. The particle 囉 adds a dismissive tone, emphasizing that the situation is obvious or inevitable.
Examples
You are always late, it serves you right to get scolded.
He cheated people out of money and got arrested, it really serves him right.
Related words
Common phrases
really serves them right
Common mistake
Avoid using this to express sympathy, as it is inherently judgmental and harsh. It is not a neutral way to describe bad luck but specifically highlights that the person is at fault for their own predicament.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
