li1 li1 laa1 laa1哩哩啦啦
Jyutpingli1 li1 laa1 laa1
Yalelī lī lā lā
Definition
Sloppy, careless, and not paying proper attention to detail in one's work.
colloquialdescriptionswork
How it's used
This reduplicated phrase vividly captures the feeling of someone who is scatterbrained or lacks focus, often resulting in messy or incomplete tasks. It is frequently used to criticize a lack of attention to detail rather than a lack of ability. The rhythm of the four characters emphasizes the repetitive, unfocused nature of the person's actions.
Examples
His report was written in a very sloppy and disorganized way.
Related words
Common phrases
to do things in a sloppy manner
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 哩哩啦啦 which can sometimes refer to the sound of whispering or indistinct speech. In Cantonese, it is almost exclusively used to describe a person's sloppy work habits or lack of thoroughness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
