sau1 maai5 jan4 meng6收買人命收买人命
Jyutpingsau1 maai5 jan4 meng6
Yalesāu máaih yàhn mehng
Definition
An expression used to scold someone whose reckless behavior could kill or seriously injure others.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This expression is a strong, hyperbolic rebuke used when someone's reckless behavior creates an immediate danger to others. It literally translates to buying someone's life, implying that the person is acting as if they are purchasing the right to end lives. It is most commonly heard in traffic or public safety contexts where a sudden, careless action could easily lead to a fatal accident.
Examples
You are driving so fast, are you trying to kill someone?
Stopping in the middle of the road is really dangerous and could kill someone.
Related words
Common phrases
it is simply life-threatening
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a situation that is merely annoying or inconvenient. It is reserved for life-threatening recklessness and carries a very aggressive, accusatory tone that can easily escalate a conflict.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
