gwo3 gwat1過骨过骨
Jyutpinggwo3 gwat1
Yalegwo gwāt
Definition
To barely pass a challenge or an examination through sheer luck.
colloquialschoolwork
How it's used
Originating from the game of mahjong where one manages to avoid a penalty or a loss, this term carries a sense of relief after escaping an undesirable outcome. It implies that the success was not due to skill or preparation, but rather a stroke of fortune or a loophole. It is frequently used in contexts involving exams, work deadlines, or avoiding trouble with authority figures.
Examples
The paper was so hard this time, I'm lucky I barely scraped through.
Related words
Common phrases
to luckily scrape through
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply passing a test or task. It specifically highlights that the person was under-prepared or in a precarious situation and only succeeded by a narrow margin or through sheer luck.
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.
