mou5 fu4冇符

Jyutpingmou5 fu4

Yalemóuh fùh

動詞

Definition

To have no tricks up one's sleeve; to be completely out of ideas and unable to do anything about a situation.

colloquialdaily actionsemotion

How it's used

Originating from the idea of a Taoist talisman or charm, this term implies that even your most powerful spiritual or strategic tools have failed to solve the problem. It carries a sense of resignation or helplessness, often used when dealing with persistent, annoying, or unchangeable situations. It is strictly colloquial and sounds very natural when expressing frustration about someone else's stubborn behavior.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日ci4遲dou3到，ngo5我dou1都mou5冇fu4符。

He is always late, and there is nothing I can do about it.

ni1呢go3個man6問tai4題gam3咁naan4難，nei5你hai6係mai6咪dou1都mou5冇fu4符aa4呀？

This problem is so hard, are you also at your wit's end?

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係mou5冇fu4符

really at one's wit's end

deoi3對keoi5佢mou5冇fu4符

to be unable to do anything about them

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply having no money or no luck, as it specifically refers to a lack of strategies or solutions for a problem. It is not used to describe a lack of physical objects.