mou5 mai5 zuk1冇米粥

Jyutpingmou5 mai5 zuk1

Yalemóuh máih jūk

Definition

Something that will not succeed, produce results, or come to fruition

colloquialfoodslang

How it's used

Literally referring to porridge made without rice, this expression is used to describe a situation where someone expects a gain or a result but ends up with absolutely nothing. It carries a sense of disappointment or frustration, often implying that the effort put into a project or negotiation was entirely futile. It is a vivid way to describe a dead end or a failed venture.

Examples

gaau2搞zo2咗gam3咁noi6耐，zeoi3最hau6後dou1都hai6係mou5冇mai5米zuk1粥。

After working on this for so long, it ended up being for nothing.

nei5你ji5以wai4為jau5有cin2錢zaan6賺？kei4其sat6實hai6係mou5冇mai5米zuk1粥lai2嚟㗎gaa2咋。

You think there is money to be made? Actually, it is just a complete waste of time.

Common phrases

sik6食mou5冇mai5米zuk1粥

to end up with nothing

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with literal food descriptions, as it is strictly used as a metaphor for failed outcomes. It is also not interchangeable with 冇用, which describes something that lacks utility, whereas 冇米粥 specifically highlights the lack of a final, expected result.