zaan2 gaau2盞攪盏搅
Jyutpingzaan2 gaau2
Yalejáan gáau
Definition
To do something to no avail; to perform a task or make an effort in vain.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Expresses the futility of an action, implying that the effort spent will yield no results or is simply unnecessary. It often carries a tone of resignation or frustration, suggesting that the speaker has already anticipated failure. It is frequently used to discourage someone from pursuing a course of action that seems pointless.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 攪鬼, which refers to playing tricks or being mischievous. While both contain 攪, 盞攪 specifically focuses on the lack of success or the pointlessness of an action.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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.
