je6 maa1 maa1夜媽媽夜妈妈

Jyutpingje6 maa1 maa1

Yaleyeh mā mā

Definition

Late at night, or pitch-dark at night.

colloquialtimedaily actions

How it's used

This reduplicated form emphasizes the lateness of the hour and often carries a tone of disapproval or concern. It is frequently used by parents or friends to question someone who is out or active when they should be sleeping. The reduplication adds a sense of emotional weight that the simple word 夜 lacks.

Examples

je6夜maa1媽maa1媽nei5你zung6仲heoi3去bin1邊aa4呀？

Where are you going so late at night?

je6夜maa1媽maa1媽jat1一go3個jan4人haang4行gaai1街hou2好ngai4危him2險㗎。

It is very dangerous to walk on the street alone so late at night.

Related words

Common phrases

je6夜maa1媽maa1媽m4唔fan3瞓gaau3覺

not sleeping so late at night

je6夜maa1媽maa1媽ceot1出gaai1街

going out so late at night

Common mistake

Avoid using this in formal writing or professional settings, as it is strictly a colloquial expression for spoken Cantonese. Do not confuse it with just describing the time, as it specifically highlights the unusual or inappropriate nature of being awake or out at that hour.