gwaa1 dak1瓜得

Jyutpinggwaa1 dak1

Yalegwā dāk

Definition

To be about to die, or on the verge of ruin.

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How it's used

Carries a blunt and informal tone that is often used for dramatic effect when describing something that is failing or someone who is in a precarious situation. While it literally refers to dying, it is frequently applied to inanimate objects like machines or electronics that are on their last legs. Avoid using this in serious or formal contexts, as it sounds flippant and disrespectful when discussing actual human mortality.

Examples

bou6部ce1車waai6壞dou3到gam3咁，zan1真hai6係zau6就faai3快gwaa1瓜dak1得laa3喇。

The car is so broken, it's really about to die.

nei5你zoi3再m4唔sik6食joek6藥，zan1真hai6係wui2會gwaa1瓜dak1得㗎。

If you don't take your medicine, you're really going to die.

Common phrases

zau6就faai3快gwaa1瓜dak1得

about to die soon

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 瓜, which can mean to die or to be finished. 瓜得 specifically emphasizes the state of being on the verge of death or total failure, rather than the act of dying itself.