paak3 saai3 wu1 jing1拍晒烏蠅拍晒乌蝇
Jyutpingpaak3 saai3 wu1 jing1
Yalepaak saai wū yīng
Definition
To have absolutely no business or customers; to be completely quiet and deserted.
colloquialworkother
How it's used
Literally meaning to swat all the flies, this idiom vividly describes a place so empty that the only activity is swatting insects. It is used exclusively to describe a lack of customers or business activity in a commercial setting. It carries a sense of frustration or observation of a poor economic situation.
Examples
The shop has absolutely no customers today.
Related words
Common phrases
to have no business all day long
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a person who is bored or idle, as it specifically refers to the lack of business traffic in a venue.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
