saai3 zik6曬蓆晒席
Jyutpingsaai3 zik6
Yalesaai jihk
Definition
To have very little business or very few customers; to run a slack business.
colloquialwork
How it's used
Originating from the image of a shopkeeper having nothing to do but swat flies, this term vividly describes a lack of business. It is specifically used for commercial contexts like shops or restaurants rather than general social situations. It carries a slightly self-deprecating or sympathetic tone when discussing the struggle of maintaining a business.
Examples
The whole shop is dead today, it is really miserable.
Related words
Common phrases
business is very slow
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal fly-swatting, as the phrase is strictly idiomatic for business performance. It is also not used for people being bored at home, only for commercial venues.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
