mat1 gaa1 fo2乜傢伙乜家伙
Jyutpingmat1 gaa1 fo2
Yalemāt gā fó
Definition
What; what kind of thing, person, or situation.
colloquialcommunicationslang
How it's used
This expression adds a layer of frustration, impatience, or strong curiosity to a question. It is rarely used in a neutral context and often implies that the speaker finds the object or situation being discussed to be strange, annoying, or confusing. It functions similarly to the English phrase "what the heck" or "what on earth."
Examples
What on earth are you holding?
What kind of mess is he making again?
Related words
Common phrases
what kind of trouble/mess
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal settings or with people you do not know well, as it can sound rude or aggressive. It is strictly for informal, emotional, or exasperated speech.
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.
