si4 jat6 mou4 do1時日無多时日无多
Jyutpingsi4 jat6 mou4 do1
Yalesìh yaht mòuh dō
Definition
To have limited time left, typically referring to the remaining duration of one's life, career, or term of office.
writtentimehealth
How it's used
This phrase carries a heavy, somber tone often reserved for terminal illness or the inevitable collapse of an organization. It is a literary idiom that is used in spoken Cantonese to add gravity to a situation, rather than being a casual way to describe a deadline or a short wait.
Examples
The doctor said he doesn't have much time left, and his family is very sad.
This company is struggling to operate; it looks like it won't last much longer.
Related words
Common phrases
a life with limited time remaining
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe short-term tasks or minor delays, as it implies a permanent and final ending rather than a temporary finish.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
