jau5 san4 mou5 hei3有神冇氣有神冇气
Jyutpingjau5 san4 mou5 hei3
Yaleyáuh sàhn móuh hei
Definition
Exhausted, dispirited, or lacking in energy and vitality.
colloquialhealthdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom describes a state of lacking vitality or energy, often used to describe someone who appears physically weak or mentally listless. It implies a contrast between having a soul or spirit and lacking the actual breath or energy to manifest it. It is frequently used to comment on someone's poor physical appearance or lack of enthusiasm during a conversation.
Examples
Why do you always look so exhausted?
He has been sick for a few days and looks completely drained.
Related words
Common phrases
to look exhausted
the whole person is drained of energy
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with being lazy or unmotivated. It specifically refers to a lack of physical or mental energy, often due to illness, fatigue, or being overwhelmed, rather than a lack of desire to perform a task.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
