liu4 liu4 mou4 gei2寥寥無幾寥寥无几
Jyutpingliu4 liu4 mou4 gei2
Yalelìuh lìuh mòuh géi
Definition
Very few; only a tiny number left.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a literary tone, often used to emphasize a scarcity that is surprising or disappointing. It is frequently employed in formal writing or when someone wants to add a touch of gravity to their description of a small quantity. Unlike simple adjectives, it functions as a complete predicate or a descriptive phrase.
Examples
There are very few tourists here, it is very quiet.
How many people still remember this? Very few.
Related words
Common phrases
very few people
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday speech to describe common things like groceries or small change, as it sounds overly dramatic. It is best reserved for situations where the lack of something is notable, such as attendance at an event or the number of survivors.
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.
