saai1 sing1 waai6 hei3嘥聲壞氣嘥声坏气

Jyutpingsaai1 sing1 waai6 hei3

Yalesāai sīng waaih hei

Definition

To waste one's breath; to talk in vain with no effect or result.

colloquialcommunicationemotion

How it's used

Focuses specifically on the futility of verbal communication when the listener is unwilling or unable to understand. It carries a strong sense of frustration and annoyance, implying that the speaker has already tried repeatedly without success. Use this when you feel your words are falling on deaf ears.

Examples

nei5你tung4同keoi5佢gong2講gam3咁do1多dou1都hai6係saai1嘥sing1聲waai6壞hei3氣。

It is a waste of breath to tell them so much.

sai2使mat1乜saai1嘥sing1聲waai6壞hei3氣heoi3去hyun3勸keoi5佢aa4呀？

Why waste your breath trying to persuade them?

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係saai1嘥sing1聲waai6壞hei3氣

really a waste of breath

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 嘥氣, which is a broader term for wasting effort or energy in general. 嘥聲壞氣 specifically highlights the act of speaking as the wasted resource.