sik6 dak1 m4 hou2 saai1食得唔好嘥
Jyutpingsik6 dak1 m4 hou2 saai1
Yalesihk dāk m̀h hóu sāai
Definition
An exhortation not to waste food, resources, or opportunities.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
This phrase functions as a moral imperative to avoid waste, often used to justify eating leftovers or finishing a meal even when one is full. It carries a sense of traditional frugality and respect for resources. While primarily applied to food, it can be extended to other resources or even opportunities that would be a shame to squander.
Examples
These dishes are still edible, don't waste them.
You don't want the lunchbox? You shouldn't waste food.
Related words
Common phrases
don't waste what is edible
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply saying something is edible, as it is a prescriptive phrase used to persuade others to finish their food. It is not a formal rule but a social nudge, so using it on someone who is genuinely full or disgusted by the food might come across as pushy.
Grammar color guide
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Adverb
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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.
