mou5 daai6 mou5 sai3冇大冇細冇大冇细
Jyutpingmou5 daai6 mou5 sai3
Yalemóuh daaih móuh sai
Definition
Lacking a sense of propriety or respect for hierarchy; rude to seniors or superiors.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This phrase is heavily rooted in traditional Confucian values regarding social hierarchy and age. It is almost exclusively used by an older person or a superior to reprimand someone younger or of lower status for perceived insolence. Using it against someone of equal or higher status would be considered extremely aggressive and confrontational.
Examples
You are being so disrespectful talking to your elders like that.
Children shouldn't be rude to their elders, you must listen to your mother.
Related words
Common phrases
really lacking any sense of hierarchy
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for being rude, but it specifically targets the violation of hierarchy. It is not used for general bad manners like being loud in a library or cutting in line.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
