zaa2 dau3鮓斗鲊斗
Jyutpingzaa2 dau3
Yalejá dau
Definition
Useless, incompetent, or of poor quality.
slangpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of frustration or contempt, specifically targeting someone's lack of competence or an object's failure to perform its intended function. It is often used to describe a person who is clumsy or consistently fails to get things done properly. Unlike more general words for useless, this carries a slightly more dismissive and informal tone.
Examples
He is so useless at work, how can we trust him?
This tool is really useless, it doesn't help at all.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with words describing someone who is simply lazy, as this specifically emphasizes a lack of capability or effectiveness. It is strictly colloquial and should be avoided in professional or formal settings.
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.
