mat1 gwai2乜鬼
Jyutpingmat1 gwai2
Yalemāt gwái
Definition
What the hell; an intense or emphatic way of asking "what".
colloquialcommunicationslang
How it's used
Adding 鬼 to a question word like 乜 or 邊個 intensifies the tone, signaling frustration, confusion, or impatience. It functions similarly to adding "the hell" or "the fuck" in English, though it is generally considered mild enough for casual use among friends. When used as a standalone exclamation, it expresses strong disbelief or annoyance at a situation.
Examples
What the hell are you doing?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal settings, professional environments, or with people you do not know well, as it can sound aggressive or rude. It is strictly for informal, emotional, or colloquial speech.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
