m4 si2 gai3唔使計唔使计
Jyutpingm4 si2 gai3
Yalem̀h sí gai
Definition
No need to calculate; don't bother, forget about it, or never mind.
- don't worry about it; no need to count or fuss over (e.g., money or favors)
- colloquialdrop it; let's not talk about it; forget about it
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Expresses a sense of magnanimity or indifference toward minor debts, small mistakes, or petty grievances. It functions as a social lubricant to de-escalate tension or to signal that a relationship is close enough that strict accounting is unnecessary. It is frequently used when someone tries to pay back a small favor or apologize for a trivial error.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
let's not keep score
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of calculating numbers. When used in a social context, it specifically refers to keeping score or holding a grudge, not the act of doing arithmetic.
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.
