tyun5 mai5 lou6斷米路断米路
Jyutpingtyun5 mai5 lou6
Yaletyúhn máih louh
Definition
To cut off someone's livelihood or source of income.
colloquialworkmoney
How it's used
Literally meaning to break the rice path, this idiom is used specifically when someone interferes with another person's ability to earn a living or advance their career. It carries a strong sense of moral condemnation, as it implies a malicious or selfish act that deprives someone of their basic sustenance. It is often used in professional or business contexts where competition turns into sabotage.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to ruin someone's livelihood
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general bad luck or failure. It specifically requires an external agent who is actively causing the loss of income or opportunity.
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.
