sai2 mat1 gong2使乜講使乜讲
Jyutpingsai2 mat1 gong2
Yalesái māt góng
Definition
Needless to say; used to express utmost certainty, agreement, or mutual understanding.
colloquialcommunicationother
How it's used
This phrase functions as a rhetorical question that asserts a fact is so obvious it requires no further explanation. It carries a tone of shared understanding or slight impatience, implying that the listener should already know the answer. It is frequently used to dismiss the need for discussion when the outcome is considered a foregone conclusion.
Examples
He is so smart, it goes without saying, right?
Obviously, he is definitely going to win.
Related words
Common phrases
no need to say so much
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal question about speaking, but it is strictly an idiomatic expression of certainty. Avoid using it in formal settings or professional reports as it sounds too casual and dismissive.
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.
