hei3 sou3 ji5 zeon6氣數已盡气数已尽
Jyutpinghei3 sou3 ji5 zeon6
Yalehei sou yíh jeuhn
Definition
One's days are numbered; to run out of luck, having no chance to continue developing or surviving.
colloquialother
How it's used
Carries a heavy, fatalistic tone often used to describe the inevitable decline of an organization, a project, or even a person's luck. It implies that the outcome is already sealed by fate rather than just bad management. It is rarely used for minor inconveniences and is reserved for situations where a total collapse or end is perceived as unavoidable.
Examples
The company has been losing money for years, it seems its days are numbered.
Do you think the days of this old district are numbered?
Related words
Common phrases
days are numbered
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a simple deadline or a short-term failure, as it implies a permanent, terminal end to something's existence or relevance.
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.
