nei5 m4 hai6 aa3 maa3你唔係呀嘛你唔系呀嘛
Jyutpingnei5 m4 hai6 aa3 maa3
Yalenéih m̀h haih a ma
Definition
No way, you've got to be kidding; seriously?
colloquialemotioncommunication
How it's used
Expresses disbelief or shock, often implying that the speaker finds the situation ridiculous or unacceptable. It functions as a rhetorical question that does not require an answer, serving instead to highlight the speaker's frustration or amusement. The particle 嘛 adds a tone of obviousness, suggesting that the situation should have been avoided or is clearly wrong.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal settings or with superiors, as it can sound confrontational or dismissive. It is strictly for casual interactions with friends or peers.
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.
