wu1 lei1 maa5 caa5烏喱馬杈乌喱马杈
Jyutpingwu1 lei1 maa5 caa5
Yalewū lēi máh cháh
Definition
Messy, untidy, or illegible, usually referring to writing or drawing.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This term is used specifically to describe visual disorder, such as illegible handwriting or chaotic scribbles. It carries a slightly humorous or exasperated tone, suggesting that the mess is so extreme it becomes comical or frustrating. It is rarely used to describe a messy room or general disorganization, which would be better served by terms like 亂七八糟.
Examples
Your report is written so messily, go fix it.
Why are your drawings so messy like this?
Related words
Common phrases
written in a messy way
drawn in a messy way
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a person who is untidy or unkempt, as it is strictly reserved for the output of someone's work, like writing, drawing, or perhaps a poorly executed craft project.
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.
