mei6 gaai3 naai5未戒奶
Jyutpingmei6 gaai3 naai5
Yalemeih gaai náaih
Definition
Young and immature; literally not yet weaned.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Literally meaning not yet weaned from breast milk, this phrase is a sharp, dismissive way to criticize someone for being naive or lacking life experience. It carries a stronger sense of condescension than simply calling someone immature. Use it only when you want to emphasize that someone is behaving like a dependent infant rather than a responsible adult.
Examples
He is still so immature, he acts like a child at work.
Are you still a baby? Why are you acting so childish?
Related words
Common phrases
still not weaned / still acting like a baby
Common mistake
Avoid using this in professional or formal settings, as it is highly informal and can be perceived as an insult. It is strictly reserved for casual arguments or teasing among close friends and family.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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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.
