po3 gaai3破戒
Jyutpingpo3 gaai3
Yalepo gaai
Definition
To violate a religious precept, or to break a vow to abstain from something.
- to break a religious precept
- to break a personal vow or promise to abstain from doing something
colloquialdaily actionshealth
How it's used
Originally referring to religious precepts, the term has expanded to cover any personal commitment or self-imposed restriction. It is frequently used in contexts involving diet, exercise, or breaking bad habits. Using it adds a slightly dramatic or humorous flair to the situation, framing the act of giving in to temptation as a significant moral or personal failure.
Examples
He said he was going on a diet, but he ended up breaking his vow and eating a late-night snack tonight.
Related words
Common phrases
to break a diet by eating
to break a vow due to a momentary craving
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for simply failing at a task, but it specifically requires a prior, conscious promise or rule one set for oneself. It is not used for accidental mistakes or general failures.
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.
