wui3 taan4 m4 wui3 coeng3會彈唔會唱会弹唔会唱
Jyutpingwui3 taan4 m4 wui3 coeng3
Yalewui tàahn m̀h wui cheung
Definition
All talk and no action; only knowing how to criticize without being able to do any better.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This phrase is a vivid way to criticize someone who is full of theories or criticisms but lacks the practical ability or willingness to execute them. It carries a slightly mocking tone and is often used when someone is being armchair-critical of others' work. It is distinct from simply being lazy, as it specifically highlights the gap between verbal posturing and actual performance.
Examples
He always talks about starting a business, but in the end, he is all talk and no action.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general laziness, but it specifically targets the discrepancy between what someone claims they can do and what they actually demonstrate. It is not used to describe someone who is simply tired or unmotivated.
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.
