mou5 jik1冇益
Jyutpingmou5 jik1
Yalemóuh yīk
Definition
Not beneficial, and potentially slightly harmful.
colloquialhealthdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the lack of positive value or potential negative impact rather than outright danger. It is frequently applied to habits, junk food, or unproductive activities that waste time. Unlike the formal term 無益, this colloquial version carries a casual, advisory tone often used by parents or friends to discourage specific behaviors.
Examples
Eating so many snacks is not good for you.
Why do you always read these useless books?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 冇用, which strictly means useless or non-functional. 冇益 implies that something is not just ineffective, but potentially detrimental to your health or well-being.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
