gwai3 gaap3 m4 baau2貴夾唔飽贵夹唔饱
Jyutpinggwai3 gaap3 m4 baau2
Yalegwai gaap m̀h báau
Definition
Expensive and not filling; overpriced and poor value.
colloquialfooddescriptions
How it's used
This phrase is a classic example of the Cantonese tendency to use four character structures to deliver a sharp, critical judgment. It is almost exclusively applied to food or dining experiences where the portion size is small or the quality is poor relative to the high price. It carries a strong sense of disappointment and serves as a warning to others.
Examples
That restaurant is overpriced and not filling; it is a total rip-off.
Do you think the food here is overpriced and not filling?
Related words
Common phrases
an overpriced and unsatisfying restaurant
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe luxury goods like jewelry or electronics, as the term specifically implies a failure to satisfy physical hunger. It is strictly reserved for food and dining contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
