jin4 zi1 mou4 mat6言之無物言之无物

Jyutpingjin4 zi1 mou4 mat6

Yaleyìhn jī mòuh maht

語句

Definition

Empty and vague; lacking in substance or concrete content.

writtencommunicationdescriptions

How it's used

Carries a formal and critical tone, often used to critique speeches, essays, or professional presentations. It implies that while the speaker or writer may be using many words, they fail to provide any concrete evidence, data, or meaningful insights. It is a sophisticated way to tell someone their contribution is essentially fluff.

Examples

keoi5佢pin1篇man4文se2寫dak1得hou2好coeng4長，daan6但hai6係jin4言zi1之mou4無mat6物。

His essay is very long, but it is empty and lacks substance.

nei5你gong2講je5嘢m4唔hou2好jin4言zi1之mou4無mat6物，gong2講cung5重dim2點laa1啦。

Don't be vague when you speak, get to the point.

Common phrases

noi6內jung4容jin4言zi1之mou4無mat6物

the content is empty and lacks substance

pai1批ping4評jin4言zi1之mou4無mat6物

to criticize something for being vague and empty

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a casual way to say someone is lying or joking, but it specifically targets the lack of substance rather than the truthfulness of the content.