waang1 zo2橫咗
Jyutpingwaang1 zo2
Yalewāang jó
Definition
To have messed up, gone wrong, or made a mess of something.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Often used when a situation or plan goes completely sideways due to someone's interference or incompetence. It carries a sense of frustration or blame, implying that things were going smoothly until they were disrupted. It is strictly colloquial and sounds very natural when complaining about a botched task.
Examples
Why did you mess everything up?
He messes up the plan every single time, it is really annoying.
Related words
Common phrases
to cause something to be messed up
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 橫 meaning horizontal, as the tone and context are completely different. It is also not a formal way to say fail, so avoid using it in professional or written reports.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
