- You’re probably spending more time with your family during the coronavirus pandemic, and they might be getting on your nerves
- Here’s how to talk about the annoying things people can do, from being messy to forgetfulness
No one can get on your nerves like a brother or sister. Photo: ShutterstockAs many of us have to stay at home during the pandemic, we’re spending more time not just in front of our screens, but also with our family members. Thus, we might be learning a lot about their everyday habits, and that can be tough to deal with.
If your siblings are mow-sau-may, their messiness might be very frustrating. Or if your parents are cherng-hay, you might be annoyed because you don’t have time to listen to them talk all day. This week, we introduce Cantonese slang to talk – or vent – about bad habits.
How to encourage others during the pandemic
無手尾 mo4 sau2 mei5 (mow-sau-may): “No hands and tails”
Meaning: describes those who do not finish what they start, or who do not clean up after themselves. These people often leave their tasks unfinished, and thus, others have to complete their work for them.
In English: messy; clumsy; irresponsible; to be all over the place
Example: Every day, I have to take care of the clothes that my brother scatters in our room because he is so mow-sau-may.
大頭蝦 daai6 tau4 haa1 (daai-tau-hah): “Big head prawn”
Meaning: describes absent-minded and careless people. This phrase uses prawns as a comparison because while prawns have big heads, they are not thinking much about anything. Often, people will use this term in a friendly way, so don’t be offended if someone calls you this.
In English: forgetful; absent-minded; airhead
Example: My mother nags us about not forgetting our belongings, but she herself is a daai-tau-hah who often loses her phone.
Canto phrases for breaking up fights
污糟貓 wu1 zou1 maau1 (woo-joe-mao): “Dirty cat”
Meaning: a kind way of calling out those who are dirty and unhygienic. Usually, it is used between friends or family members who know each other well.
In English: to look like something the cat dragged in
Example: My brother loves romping around the playground after school, but after dirtying the floor of our home, he is no longer allowed to be such a woo-joe-mao.
坐唔定 co5 ng4 ding3 (chaw-mm-ding): “Unable to sit still”
Meaning: to have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. In a classroom, these are the students who are constantly tempted to leave their seats to do something else.
In English: to be easily distracted; to be inattentive; to be hyper; to bounce off the walls
Example: I know my cousin has a hard time staying focused in online classes because he often chaw-mm-ding.
Cantonese phrases all about relationships
長氣 coeng4 hei3 (cherng-hay): “Long air”
Meaning: describes someone who tends to speak for a long time and repeats themselves constantly
In English: long-winded; repetitive
Example: Have you noticed Mr Leung tends to be really cherng-hay on Zoom? It might be because he gets nervous during online teaching.