wo1 gung1窩工窝工
Jyutpingwo1 gung1
Yalewō gūng
Definition
To hold up a building project or suffer a delay in construction due to poor organization or shortages.
colloquialwork
How it's used
Originating from construction site jargon, this term specifically describes a situation where progress stalls due to external factors like supply chain issues or poor planning. It carries a sense of frustration as it implies workers are physically present but unable to proceed with their tasks. While it sounds technical, it is frequently used in casual workplace complaints to highlight inefficiency.
Examples
Because the materials haven't arrived, the whole crew is forced to slow down.
If you guys don't start working, the construction site will be held up.
Related words
Common phrases
forced to slow down work
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general laziness, but it specifically refers to a forced stoppage or slowdown due to logistical problems rather than a lack of motivation from the workers themselves.
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.
