laai1 ngau4 soeng5 syu6拉牛上樹拉牛上树

Jyutpinglaai1 ngau4 soeng5 syu6

Yalelāai ngàuh séuhng syuh

語句

Definition

To make a futile, pointless, or impossibly difficult attempt that yields no results.

colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions

How it's used

Employs a vivid visual metaphor to describe an impossible or highly counterintuitive task. It is frequently used to describe situations where someone is being forced to do something they are fundamentally incapable of or strongly opposed to. The phrase carries a tone of futility and frustration.

Examples

giu3叫keoi5佢zou6做nei4呢joeng6樣je5嘢gaan2簡zik6直hai6係laai1拉ngau4牛soeng5上syu6樹。

Asking him to do this is like trying to pull a cow up a tree.

nei5你bik1逼keoi5佢duk6讀syu1書dou1都hai6係laai1拉ngau4牛soeng5上syu6樹㗎zaa3咋。

Forcing him to study is just a vain attempt.

Common phrases

gaan2簡zik6直hai6係laai1拉ngau4牛soeng5上syu6樹

simply a vain attempt

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe a difficult task that is merely challenging but ultimately achievable. It specifically refers to actions that are inherently against nature or logic, making success impossible.