zaa1渣
Jyutpingzaa1
Yalejā
Definition
Bad at something, or of poor quality.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
Used primarily to describe low skill levels or inferior product quality, this term carries a strong sense of disappointment or dismissiveness. It is highly versatile and can be applied to anything from a person's athletic ability to the performance of a piece of technology. It is distinctly informal and should be avoided in professional or formal settings.
Examples
Your gaming skills are so bad, how can you play with others?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the noun 渣, which refers to dregs, residue, or leftovers. When used as an adjective, it specifically describes incompetence or low quality, whereas the noun form refers to physical waste or the remains of something.
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.
