sei2 lou6死路
Jyutpingsei2 lou6
Yaleséi louh
Definition
A dead end, blind alley, or a hopeless future.
- dead end; a road with only one entrance and no outlet
- figurativea road to ruin; a hopeless future
colloquialplacesdescriptions
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of a road with no exit, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe a situation or career path that offers no room for improvement or escape. It carries a heavy, final tone, often implying that the person has exhausted all options or is making a self-destructive choice. While 掘頭路 is the standard, neutral term for a physical dead end, 死路 adds a dramatic, often ominous weight to the description.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
It's a dead end ahead, we need to turn around.
If you keep doing that, you're heading for a dead end.
Related words
Common phrases
a complete dead end
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a simple traffic jam or a road that is temporarily blocked. It specifically refers to a road that physically ends or a situation that is fundamentally hopeless.
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.
