mou5 ji1 sik6冇衣食
Jyutpingmou5 ji1 sik6
Yalemóuh yī sihk
Definition
Wasteful, extravagant, or unappreciative of basic life necessities such as food and clothing.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Rooted in traditional values, this phrase carries a moral weight that goes beyond simple frugality. It implies that wasting food or daily necessities is a form of disrespect toward the hard work of those who produced them. Using this term often suggests that the speaker believes the person being addressed will eventually suffer bad luck or misfortune for their lack of gratitude.
Examples
You left so much food on your plate, that is really wasteful.
Don't be so wasteful in life, you need to learn to cherish resources.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply poor or lacks clothes and food. It is strictly a moral judgment used to criticize someone for being wasteful or throwing away usable items.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
