mo1 to4嚤佗
Jyutpingmo1 to4
Yalemō tòh
Definition
Slow, sluggish, or dilatory in action.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
Originating from the Portuguese word 'demora' meaning delay, this term captures a sense of frustrating inefficiency or lack of urgency. It is frequently applied to people who take an excessive amount of time to complete simple tasks or who move with a lethargic pace. Unlike simply being slow, it carries a slightly critical tone, implying that the person is hindering progress.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical objects or inanimate processes, as it specifically targets human behavior or movement. It is not a formal term and should be reserved for casual settings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
