zau2 jam1走音
Jyutpingzau2 jam1
Yalejáu yām
Definition
To go off-key or out of tune, referring to a singer or a musical instrument.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Beyond musical contexts, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who says something inappropriate or inconsistent with the situation. It carries a sense of dissonance, implying that the person's words are jarring or fail to hit the expected mark. You will often hear it used in casual critiques of karaoke performances or amateur singing.
Examples
He always goes off-key when singing, it sounds really bad.
Did you go off-key on that line you just sang?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 走樣, which refers to something losing its original shape or quality, often used for people looking worse than they used to or plans failing to meet expectations.
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.
