sau2 mei5手尾
Jyutpingsau2 mei5
Yalesáu méih
Definition
Unfinished work, loose ends, or minor tidying tasks left over after a job is mostly complete.
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the lingering, often annoying, secondary tasks that remain after the main objective is completed. It is frequently used in a negative context to describe someone who is careless or leaves a mess for others to fix. The phrase 執手尾 is the standard way to describe the act of finishing someone else's incomplete work.
Examples
You are so irresponsible with your work, I have to clean up after you again.
There are still many loose ends to follow up on for this task, can you handle it?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the physical act of cleaning a room or tidying up, which would be 執屋. It specifically refers to the abstract or practical loose ends of a process or project.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
