nei5 hai6 m4 hai6 ceot1 lai4 haang4你係唔係出嚟行你系唔系出嚟行
Definition
A rhetorical question mocking someone for not knowing the rules of the streets, gangsters, or a particular trade.
How it's used
Originally referring to someone involved in triad activities, this phrase has evolved into a sarcastic rhetorical question used to mock someone for being unprofessional, incompetent, or ignorant of the social codes within a specific group. It implies that the person is failing to live up to the basic expectations of their role or identity. Using this phrase towards someone you do not know well can be highly provocative and potentially dangerous due to its underworld connotations.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal question about someone's profession or whereabouts. It is almost exclusively used as a taunt to question someone's credibility or 'street smarts' rather than a genuine inquiry.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
