gou1 bat1 sing4 dai1 bat1 zau6高不成低不就
Jyutpinggou1 bat1 sing4 dai1 bat1 zau6
Yalegōu bāt sìhng dāi bāt jauh
Definition
To be unable to reach higher standards but unwilling to settle for lower ones, typically regarding jobs or partners.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Describes a frustrating middle ground where someone is stuck between two extremes. It implies a lack of self awareness or an unrealistic expectation that prevents progress. People often use this to describe someone who is perpetually single or struggling to find a career path that matches their perceived worth.
Examples
His job is neither here nor there, and it is hard for him to switch jobs.
nei5你zoi3再hai6係gam2噉joeng2樣gou1高bat1不sing4成dai1低bat1不zau6就，gei2幾si4時sin1先wan2搵dou3到deoi3對zoeng6象aa4呀？
If you keep being so picky, when will you ever find a partner?
Related words
Common phrases
stuck in a career limbo
stuck in a dating limbo
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical objects or inanimate things that are simply average or mediocre. It specifically refers to the internal conflict or the social situation of a person who is too proud to settle but lacks the ability to reach the top.
Grammar color guide
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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).
