jat1 baai6 tou4 dei6一敗塗地一败涂地
Jyutpingjat1 baai6 tou4 dei6
Yaleyāt baaih tòuh deih
Definition
To suffer a crushing defeat; to fail completely or be thoroughly ruined.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of total collapse or ruin, often used to describe situations like business ventures, sports matches, or personal projects that have gone disastrously wrong. Unlike simple words for failure, it paints a vivid picture of a situation being beyond repair or recovery.
Examples
He failed his exam completely this time.
Do you only feel satisfied when everything ends in total failure?
Related words
Common phrases
to lose completely
to make a complete mess of something
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a verb, but it functions primarily as an adjective or descriptive phrase to characterize the state of a situation. It is not used to describe a person's character, but rather the outcome of an event or endeavor.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
