maai6 ngai6賣藝卖艺
Jyutpingmaai6 ngai6
Yalemaaih ngaih
Definition
To perform or entertain people to make a living; to busk.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the act of performing for financial gain rather than just for fun or artistic expression. While it often implies street performance, it can also describe any situation where someone relies on their skills as a musician, acrobat, or artist to sustain their livelihood. It carries a slightly traditional or humble connotation compared to modern terms like 表演.
Examples
He has been performing on the streets to earn money since he was a child.
Have you ever seen anyone performing in the MTR station?
Related words
Common phrases
street performance
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
