zi2 zaat3 haa6 paa4紙紮下扒纸扎下扒
Jyutpingzi2 zaat3 haa6 paa4
Yalejí jaat hah pàh
Definition
Unreliable, fragile, or prone to falling apart easily.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Refers to the flimsy construction of paper offerings burned for the deceased, which are meant for ritual use rather than durability. Using this term implies that a person lacks substance, consistency, or the ability to follow through on commitments. It carries a stronger sense of disappointment than simply saying someone is unreliable.
Examples
He is very unreliable, you cannot trust him.
You are asking him for help? He is so unreliable, he might mess things up anytime.
Common phrases
a person who is unreliable
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical objects that are poorly made, as it is strictly reserved for describing a person's character or behavior. It is a colloquial expression that can sound quite harsh or judgmental in professional settings.
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.
