maa4 gwat1 gwaai2 zoeng6麻骨枴杖麻骨拐杖
Definition
Describes something or someone that is useless, weak, or unreliable.
How it's used
Originating from the image of a walking stick made of hemp stalks, which would snap under the slightest pressure, this phrase serves as a vivid metaphor for something that fails exactly when you need it most. It carries a stronger sense of disappointment and unreliability than simply saying something is useless. You will often hear it used to describe plans, tools, or even people who prove incompetent during a crisis.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal type of walking stick, but it is strictly an idiomatic expression for something ineffective. Do not use it to describe an actual physical object that is broken; it specifically refers to things that are fundamentally flawed or incapable of performing their intended function.
Grammar color guide
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.
