mei6 nang4未能
Jyutpingmei6 nang4
Yalemeih nàhng
Definition
To be unable to; to fail to do or achieve something.
writtendaily actionswork
How it's used
Carries a formal or written tone that sounds slightly stiff in casual conversation. Native speakers often prefer using 仲未做到 or 唔能夠 instead to sound more natural. It is frequently seen in official announcements, business emails, or news reports to express a polite refusal or a status update.
Examples
I cannot promise you for now.
Is he unable to complete the plan?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual chats with friends as it can make you sound like you are reading a formal document or being overly distant. Stick to 仲未 or 唔做到 for everyday speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
