mou5 lei5 jau4無理由无理由
Jyutpingmou5 lei5 jau4
Yalemóuh léih yàuh
Definition
To have no reason; also used to express disbelief that something is possible.
- without reason; groundless; unfounded
- how can it be; it makes no sense that; impossible
colloquialemotioncommunication
How it's used
Expresses strong disbelief or skepticism when an outcome contradicts expectations. It functions as a rhetorical device to challenge the validity of a situation rather than literally questioning the lack of a reason. Often paired with sentence-final particles like 㗎 or 嘛 to emphasize the speaker's incredulity.
Examples
He is usually so hardworking, it is impossible that he would fail.
That cannot be right, I clearly put it on the table.
Related words
Common phrases
That cannot be possible.
Common mistake
Do not use this to mean 'no reason' in a literal sense, such as 'I did it for no reason'. For that meaning, use 冇原因 or 無端端 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
