hai6 mat1 dung1 dung1係乜東東系乜东东
Jyutpinghai6 mat1 dung1 dung1
Yalehaih māt dūng dūng
Definition
What the heck is it?; what on earth is that?
colloquialcommunicationslang
How it's used
This phrase is a playful, slightly exaggerated way to express confusion or mild annoyance about an object or situation. It is borrowed from Mandarin slang and has become popular in Hong Kong internet culture and casual speech. It carries a humorous or sarcastic tone that makes it unsuitable for formal or professional settings.
Examples
What the heck is this thing?
Common phrases
what on earth is it
Common mistake
Avoid using this in serious or formal contexts, as it sounds very informal and can come across as dismissive or mocking. It is strictly for casual interactions with friends or peers.
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.
