sei2 m4 tyun5 hei3死唔斷氣死唔断气
Definition
Clinging to life or hanging on by a thread; lingering on when expected to fail, die, or go out of business.
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of annoyance or sarcasm, implying that something or someone is stubbornly persisting long past their expected time. It is frequently used to describe failing businesses, outdated technology, or people who are perceived as being a burden. The tone is rarely neutral and almost always suggests that the subject should have already given up or disappeared.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is genuinely struggling with a serious illness, as it can sound extremely cold and disrespectful. It is best reserved for inanimate objects, companies, or situations where the persistence is seen as an inconvenience rather than a tragedy.
Grammar color guide
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.
