m4 hai6 gong2 waan2唔係講玩唔系讲玩
Jyutpingm4 hai6 gong2 waan2
Yalem̀h haih góng wáan
Definition
No joking matter; serious; not playing around.
colloquialdescriptionsemotion
How it's used
Use this phrase to emphasize that a situation has escalated beyond a casual or trivial level. It functions as a strong warning or a declaration of gravity, often implying that consequences will follow if the situation is not handled properly. It is significantly more emphatic than simply saying serious in a formal way.
Examples
This time it is really serious, have you thought it through?
They made such a huge mess, it is really not a joke.
Related words
Common phrases
really not a joke
Common mistake
Avoid using this in professional or overly formal settings, as it carries a strong colloquial tone that might sound dismissive or overly dramatic depending on the context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
