waak6 gung1 zai2 m4 sai2 waak6 ceot1 coeng2畫公仔唔駛畫出腸画公仔唔驶画出肠
Jyutpingwaak6 gung1 zai2 m4 sai2 waak6 ceot1 coeng2
Yalewaahk gūng jái m̀h sái waahk chēut chéung
Definition
No need to spell it out; there is no need to make something so obvious that it becomes vulgar or redundant.
colloquialcommunicationother
How it's used
This idiom is used when someone is being overly explicit or pedantic about something that is already clear or implied. It literally translates to drawing a doll without drawing the intestines, suggesting that adding unnecessary details ruins the subtlety of the message. It is a common way to tell someone to stop explaining or to stop asking for further clarification.
Examples
I have made it so obvious, do you really need me to spell it out?
We all understand each other, there is really no need to spell it out.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase in formal or professional settings, as it can sound dismissive or slightly rude to the person you are speaking to. It is best reserved for casual conversations with friends or colleagues where you have a close relationship.
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.
