wan2 gwai2 bong1 sau2搵鬼幫手揾鬼帮手
Jyutpingwan2 gwai2 bong1 sau2
Yalewán gwái bōng sáu
Definition
To have no hope of finding anyone to help.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
The phrase literally translates to finding a ghost to help, which serves as a rhetorical way to express that no one in their right mind would assist. It is often used to dismiss a request or to highlight that a situation is so hopeless or unpleasant that help is impossible to secure. It carries a strong sense of sarcasm and frustration.
Examples
This task is so troublesome, who would even help with it?
He is usually so stingy, who would help him when he is in trouble?
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase in formal settings or when speaking to superiors, as the inclusion of 鬼 makes it sound quite informal and potentially rude. It is strictly for casual conversation among friends or peers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
