hou2 zou6 m4 zou6好做唔做

Jyutpinghou2 zou6 m4 zou6

Yalehóu jouh m̀h jouh

語句

Definition

To do something unnecessary or inappropriate instead of doing what is actually needed.

colloquialpeopledaily actions

How it's used

This phrase is a versatile rhetorical device used to express frustration or disbelief at someone's poor decision making. It functions as a standalone opening to a sentence, highlighting that the subject has bypassed the logical or necessary action in favor of something counterproductive. It is frequently paired with the particle 走去 to emphasize the active, misguided nature of the choice.

Examples

nei5你hou2好zou6做m4唔zou6做，pin1偏pin1偏gaan2揀ni1呢go3個si4時hau6候ci4辭zik1職？

Of all the times to quit, why did you have to choose this one?

keoi5佢hou2好zou6做m4唔zou6做，zau2走heoi3去dak1得zeoi6罪go3個lou5老baan2闆。

He went and offended the boss instead of doing what he should have.

Common phrases

nin4年saa1卅maan5晚ze6謝zou3灶，hou2好zou6做m4唔zou6做

A classic Cantonese pun implying someone is doing something unnecessary or ill-timed.

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal question about work habits, but it is almost exclusively used as a reproach for poor judgment. It is not used to ask for advice on what to do, but rather to criticize a completed or ongoing action.