m4 gau3 keoi5 lai2唔夠佢嚟唔够渠嚟

Jyutpingm4 gau3 keoi5 lai2

Yalem̀h gau kéuih lái

Definition

To be unable to beat, defeat, or prevail over someone.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Focuses on the inability to compete or keep up with someone in a specific skill or confrontation. It carries a sense of resignation or acknowledgement of someone else's superior ability. The phrase is highly versatile and applies to anything from physical sports and card games to intellectual debates or office politics.

Examples

daa2打gei1機ngo5我zan1真hai6係m4唔gau3夠keoi5佢lei4嚟。

I really can't beat him at video games.

nei5你dau3鬥m4唔gwo3過zau6就jing6認syu1輸laa1啦，m4唔gau3夠keoi5佢lei4嚟㗎。

Just admit defeat if you can't win, you're no match for him.

Common phrases

jyun4完cyun4全m4唔gau3夠keoi5佢lei4嚟

completely no match for him

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for physical fighting only, but it is frequently used for abstract competition like arguments or work performance. Do not use it to mean you lack physical strength in a general sense; it specifically implies a comparison against a rival.