oi3 mok6 nang4 zo6愛莫能助爱莫能助

Jyutpingoi3 mok6 nang4 zo6

Yaleoi mohk nàhng joh

語句Uncommon

Definition

Willing to help but unable to do so; to sympathize but have no power to assist.

colloquialemotionpeople

How it's used

This idiom carries a sense of genuine regret or helplessness when one is asked for assistance that is beyond their capacity. It is often used to soften the blow of a refusal, signaling that the lack of help is due to circumstances rather than a lack of willingness. It is formal in origin but frequently used in daily speech to express sincere sympathy.

Examples

nei5你ne1呢gin2件si6事ngo5我zan1真hai6係oi3愛mok6莫nang4能zo6助aa4呀。

I really cannot help you with this matter.

keoi5佢soeng2想bong1幫sau2手daan6但oi3愛mok6莫nang4能zo6助，wai4唯jau5有zau2走sin1先。

He wanted to help but couldn't, so he had to leave first.

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係oi3愛mok6莫nang4能zo6助

really unable to help

Common mistake

Avoid using this in casual situations where you simply do not want to help, as it implies you have a strong desire to assist but are physically or situationally blocked. Using it to decline a trivial request can sound overly dramatic or insincere.