jat1 dip6 zaai1一碟齋一碟斋
Jyutpingjat1 dip6 zaai1
Yaleyāt dihp jāai
Definition
A mess; a state of complete disorder or disorganization.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Literally referring to a plate of vegetarian food, this expression is used metaphorically to describe a chaotic or disorganized situation. It carries a sense of frustration or exasperation when things have gone wrong or are in total disarray. It is particularly common when describing physical spaces like rooms or desks, as well as abstract plans or projects that have fallen apart.
Examples
The whole thing turned into a mess, how are we going to fix it?
Related words
Common phrases
to make something a mess
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of ordering vegetarian food at a restaurant. Context is key, as the phrase is almost exclusively used to describe a negative, messy state rather than actual food.
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.
