laan6 mei5爛尾烂尾
Jyutpinglaan6 mei5
Yalelaahn méih
Definition
To end badly, mess up at the end, or fail to finish a project.
colloquialworkother
How it's used
Originally referring to construction projects that were abandoned mid-build due to bankruptcy, this term has expanded to describe any endeavor that starts with high energy but fizzles out or is abandoned before completion. It carries a strong sense of disappointment and lack of professional responsibility. It is frequently used in workplace contexts or when discussing creative projects like books or television series that have unsatisfying conclusions.
Examples
This project ended up being a failure.
Don't leave your work unfinished.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a simple mistake or a minor error. It specifically implies that the entire project or task was left incomplete or was ruined at the final stage.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
