m4 cing1 m4 co2唔清唔楚
Jyutpingm4 cing1 m4 co2
Yalem̀h chīng m̀h chó
Definition
Vague, unclear, or difficult to identify and understand.
colloquialdescriptionscommunication
How it's used
This expression is frequently used to criticize someone's lack of transparency or poor communication skills. It carries a slightly impatient tone, suggesting that the speaker is frustrated by the ambiguity. It is often applied to both verbal explanations and written documents that lack necessary detail.
Examples
You are speaking so unclearly, how do you expect anyone to help you?
The contract is written in such a vague way that you'll easily lose out if you sign it.
Related words
Common phrases
to speak in a muddled or unclear manner
written in a vague or ambiguous way
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 唔清楚, but 唔清唔楚 specifically emphasizes a messy, muddled, or suspicious lack of clarity, whereas 唔清楚 is a neutral statement of not knowing or not being clear.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
