seoi2 gwo3 aap3 bui3水過鴨背水过鸭背
Jyutpingseoi2 gwo3 aap3 bui3
Yaleséui gwo aap bui
Definition
Inattentive, especially during a lesson, remembering nothing of what was said.
colloquialschoolcommunication
How it's used
This idiom specifically highlights the lack of retention caused by a lack of focus during instruction. It implies that information passes over the person without leaving any trace, much like water sliding off a duck's feathers. It is most frequently used by teachers or parents to criticize a student's lack of engagement.
Examples
You are always inattentive in class, how can you learn well?
He was inattentive to what the teacher said and forgot everything immediately.
Related words
Common phrases
to listen inattentively
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the English idiom "water off a duck's back," which often refers to someone being unaffected by criticism. In Cantonese, this phrase is strictly about failing to absorb information or lessons.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
