tau1 gai1 bat1 sing4 sik6 baa2 mai5偷雞不成蝕把米偷鸡不成蚀把米
Jyutpingtau1 gai1 bat1 sing4 sik6 baa2 mai5
Yaletāu gāi bāt sìngh sikh bá máih
Definition
lit. to try to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice used to lure it (idiom); to go for wool and come back shorn
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- 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.
Learn more on the YumCha blog
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Dictionary data from CC-Canto and CC-CEDICT, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.