m4 hai6 aa6 maa5唔係啊嗎唔系啊吗
Jyutpingm4 hai6 aa6 maa5
Yalem̀h haih ah máh
Definition
No way!; you must be kidding; surely it can't be.
colloquialcommunicationemotion
How it's used
Expresses genuine disbelief or shock, often when receiving bad or surprising news. It functions as a rhetorical question that expects no real answer, serving instead to vent frustration or emphasize the speaker's refusal to accept the situation. The tone is heavily dependent on the speaker's intonation, which usually rises sharply at the end to convey incredulity.
Examples
We have to work tomorrow? Surely that can't be true!
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal or professional settings, as it can sound overly dramatic or dismissive. It is strictly for casual, peer-to-peer interactions where a high level of familiarity exists.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
