jau5 hei3 mou5 deng6 tau2有氣冇埞唞有气冇埞唞
Jyutpingjau5 hei3 mou5 deng6 tau2
Yaleyáuh hei móuh dehng táu
Definition
To be extremely busy with no time to take a break or rest.
colloquialworkdescriptions
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by work or life demands. It literally describes a state where one is so occupied that even finding a small space to catch one's breath is impossible. It is highly idiomatic and carries a stronger sense of urgency and fatigue than simply saying someone is busy.
Examples
I have been so busy lately that I have no time to breathe, I am really exhausted.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with physical suffocation or lack of oxygen. It is strictly used to describe a schedule or workload that leaves no room for personal time or rest.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
