m4 cau3 mai5 hei3唔臭米氣唔臭米气
Jyutpingm4 cau3 mai5 hei3
Yalem̀h chau máih hei
Definition
Naive, immature, or lacking life experience.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Literally meaning not smelling of rice, this idiom describes someone who has not yet been tempered by the harsh realities of life. It carries a slightly condescending or pitying tone, implying the person is sheltered, inexperienced, or lacks common sense. It is most frequently used to describe young people or those who have lived a very protected life.
Examples
He is still so naive and always believes what people say.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with being innocent in a positive sense. It specifically highlights a lack of worldly wisdom or street smarts, which can be a disadvantage in competitive or complex social situations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
