sik6 sak1 mai5食塞米
Jyutpingsik6 sak1 mai5
Yalesihk sāk máih
Definition
Useless and unproductive; describing a person who contributes nothing and only wastes space and food.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
This is a harsh, derogatory term used to describe someone who contributes nothing to society or their family. It implies that the person is merely consuming resources, specifically food, without providing any value in return. It is much stronger than simply calling someone lazy, as it attacks their very existence as a burden.
Examples
He hides in his room all day, he is truly useless.
Related words
Common phrases
a total waste of space
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply having a bad day or is temporarily unproductive. It is a severe insult that suggests a permanent state of being a waste of space, so it can easily lead to serious conflict if used in a professional or casual setting.
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.
