lau6 hei3漏氣漏气
Jyutpinglau6 hei3
Yalelauh hei
Definition
To leak gas or air, or metaphorically to be indecisive, sloppy, or dilatory.
- to leak gas or air
- figurativeto be indecisive, sloppy, or dilatory
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of a physical leak, this term is frequently used to describe someone who lacks drive or focus. It implies that a person has lost their initial energy or determination, similar to a tire losing pressure. When applied to people, it carries a sense of frustration regarding their lack of follow-through.
Examples
The tire is leaking air, need to find someone to fix it.
He is always so indecisive and sloppy at work, it is really hard to deal with.
Related words
Common phrases
tire is leaking air
to be completely lacking in drive
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 洩氣, which specifically describes the feeling of being discouraged or losing heart. While 漏氣 can imply a lack of resolve, 洩氣 focuses more on the emotional state of giving up.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
