mat1 ceon1乜春
Jyutpingmat1 ceon1
Yalemāt chēun
Definition
An aggressive, vulgar way to say what; what the hell.
slangslangvulgar
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of annoyance or impatience, functioning as a vulgar intensifier for the standard question word 乜. It is essentially a cruder version of 乜嘢, often used to dismiss someone's actions or words as nonsensical or irritating. Avoid using this in any formal setting or with people you do not know well, as it can easily escalate a conflict.
Examples
What the hell are you doing?
I have no idea what the hell he is talking about.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not mistake this for a standard question word, as it is inherently rude and aggressive. Using it with superiors or elders will be perceived as a direct insult or a sign of extreme disrespect.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
