mou4 ji1 mou4 kaau3無依無靠无依无靠
Jyutpingmou4 ji1 mou4 kaau3
Yalemòuh yī mòuh kaau
Definition
To have no one to depend on; to be helpless and isolated.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, somber tone, often used to describe someone in a state of extreme vulnerability or abandonment. It is frequently applied to elderly people living alone or individuals who have lost their entire support network. Unlike simpler expressions for being alone, it emphasizes the lack of a safety net or emotional anchor.
Examples
His family members have all passed away, leaving him with no one to rely on.
If you feel like you have no one to turn to, you can ask me for help.
Related words
Common phrases
to become helpless and alone
to feel helpless and unsupported
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor inconveniences, such as forgetting your wallet or having a flat tire. It is reserved for serious life situations involving isolation or lack of survival support.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
