mui1 zai2 daai6 gwo3 zyu2 jan2 po4妹仔大過主人婆妹仔大过主人婆
Jyutpingmui1 zai2 daai6 gwo3 zyu2 jan2 po4
Yalemūi jái daaih gwo jyú yán pòh
Definition
A situation where a subordinate, secondary, or accessory element overshadows the main subject.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Focuses on the inversion of status or importance where a subordinate or secondary element dominates the primary one. Originally referring to household hierarchy, it is now widely applied to any situation where the focus is misplaced, such as a side dish being better than the main course or a minor character overshadowing the lead. It carries a slightly critical or sarcastic tone, implying that the natural order of things has been disrupted.
Examples
le1呢gaan1間pou3舖tau2頭di1啲zong1裝sau1修leng3靚gwo3過di1啲sik6食mat6物，zan1真hai6係mui1妹zai2仔daai6大gwo3過zyu2主jan4人po4婆。
The decor in this shop is nicer than the food; it really has its priorities backward.
Your assistant is doing your entire job; is the tail wagging the dog here?
Related words
Common phrases
It really is a case of the tail wagging the dog.
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple competition between equals. It specifically requires a clear hierarchy where the subordinate or secondary party has inappropriately taken the lead or the spotlight.
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.
