mou5 daam6 hou2 sik6冇啖好食
Jyutpingmou5 daam6 hou2 sik6
Yalemóuh daahm hóu sihk
Definition
To suffer difficult times or struggle to make a living; to have nothing good to eat.
- to have nothing good to eat
- figurativeto struggle to make a living; to fall on hard times
colloquialmoneypeople
How it's used
Focuses on the broader sense of hardship rather than literal hunger. It implies a state of being unable to enjoy life or maintain a decent standard of living due to external pressures like financial instability or poor working conditions. While it contains the word for food, it is rarely used to describe actual starvation.
Examples
The economy is so bad, it is really a struggle to get by.
Related words
Common phrases
living a life of hardship
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply picky about food or complaining about a specific bad meal. It is strictly reserved for describing a difficult life situation or a period of personal or economic struggle.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
