jat1 pat1 bou3 gam3 coeng4一疋布咁長一匹布咁长
Jyutpingjat1 pat1 bou3 gam3 coeng4
Yaleyāt pāt bou gam chèuhng
Definition
Extremely long and tedious, typically referring to a story, speech, or explanation.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom literally refers to a bolt of cloth, which is traditionally very long when unrolled. It is used exclusively to describe things that are excessively long, tedious, or boring, such as a speech, a list of complaints, or a long-winded essay. It carries a negative connotation of being tiresome or unnecessary.
Examples
He really talks on and on forever.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical objects that are simply long in a neutral or positive way, like a long road or a tall building. It is strictly reserved for abstract things like speech or writing that feel like they never end.
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.
