si6 si6 daan6 daan6 zou6是是但但做
Jyutpingsi6 si6 daan6 daan6 zou6
Yalesih sih daahn daahn jouh
Definition
To do something half-heartedly, carelessly, or just to muddle through a task.
colloquialdaily actionswork
How it's used
Repetition of the adjective is a common way to intensify the meaning of being casual or sloppy. Using it as a verb phrase implies a lack of care or professional standards in completing a task. It carries a negative connotation of laziness or indifference toward the quality of the outcome.
Examples
Don't just muddle through it and call it a day.
Related words
Common phrases
careless or sloppy
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with simply being casual or relaxed, but it specifically carries a negative sense of negligence or poor work ethic. It should not be used to describe someone who is genuinely laid back or easygoing in a positive way.
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.
