zuk1 zik1 aap2竹織鴨竹织鸭
Definition
Heartless, ungrateful, or highly forgetful and careless.
- unfeeling; heartless; lacking conscience or compassion
- forgetful; careless; failing to keep important things in mind
How it's used
This expression relies on the pun between the sound of bamboo woven ducks and the phrase 冇心肝, which literally means having no heart or liver. It is a classic example of a Cantonese riddle phrase where the first part is spoken to imply the second part. While it can describe someone who is genuinely cruel or lacking empathy, it is also frequently used in a lighter, frustrated tone to describe someone who is simply forgetful or scatterbrained.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not use this in formal or professional settings, as it is a colloquial idiom that can sound quite harsh or insulting depending on the context. Ensure the listener understands the riddle, as those unfamiliar with Cantonese wordplay may be confused by the literal mention of a bamboo duck.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
