mou5 je5冇嘢
Jyutpingmou5 je5
Yalemóuh yéh
Definition
Nothing, or nothing special that is worth noting.
colloquialcommunicationdaily actions
How it's used
Used as a versatile response to dismiss concerns or inquiries about one's status. When someone asks if you are okay after a mishap, saying 冇嘢 implies you are fine and no assistance is required. It functions as a polite way to deflect prying questions without being overtly rude.
Examples
He seems quite unhappy, but when asked, he says it's nothing.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean 'there is nothing' in a literal sense, such as 'there is nothing in the box,' where 盒入面咩都冇 is more appropriate. 冇嘢 is primarily used for social interactions or abstract situations rather than physical absence.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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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.
