nei5 dong3 ngo5 hai6 san4 zyu2 paai2你當我係神主牌你当我系神主牌
Definition
An expression used to ask why someone treats you as a mere ornament, only acknowledging you when convenient or when needing help.
How it's used
A 神主牌 is a wooden tablet used in traditional ancestor worship to house the spirit of the deceased. Using this phrase implies that the other person treats you as a passive object that is only acknowledged when they need a favor or want to vent, but is otherwise ignored or left to gather dust. It carries a strong tone of indignation and signals that the speaker feels disrespected and used.
Examples
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase in a professional or formal setting, as it is highly confrontational and carries a heavy cultural weight regarding family and respect. It is strictly reserved for close relationships where you feel comfortable expressing deep frustration or anger.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
