唔 m⁴ {wú}

(verb) don't; doesn't; aren't

咪 miu¹ {mī}

(verb) 1. don't; must not; are not; is not; 2. hardly study (adverb) 1. so; might (noun) 1. microphone; 2. mile

休 jau¹ {xiū}

1. to rest
2. to stop doing sth for a period of time
3. to cease
4. (imperative) don't

毋 mou⁴ {wú}

1. (literary) no
2. don't
3. to not have
4. nobody

吖嘛 aa¹ maa³ {ā ma}

isn't it; okay; right

飽死〔饱-〕 baau² sei² {bǎo sǐ}

(verb) literally: 'to die from overeating'; to be too full from over-eating; (slang) to be disgusted / annoyed by someone; to be unable to stand one's attitude of conceit(as a result of their actions or words); to be turned off by something or someone; to lose one's appetite as a result of something or someone; an expression (in a dismissive tone) used to tell someone that you heard enough of what someone is saying, similar to saying : "don't flatter yourself" / "get over yourself" / "that's enough already"

不曉〔-晓〕 bat¹ hiu² {bù xiǎo}

Don't know

點係〔点系〕 dim² hai⁶ {diǎn xì}

an expression of courtesy used when someone has done something for you, similar to saying "it is very nice of you"; "I don't deserve it"; "you shouldn't have"

廢事〔废-〕 fai³ si⁶ {fèi shì}

noun; waste of time; can't be bothered

放心 fong³ sam¹ {fàng xīn}

(phrasal adverb) Don't worry!

噉樣〔啖样〕 gam² joeng² {dàn yàng}

(phrase / pronoun) means 'like this'; that way; this way e.g. 佢噉樣唔得 He shouldn't do it like this; in that case; for that reason; since that is the case; then

下賤〔-贱〕 haa⁶ zin⁶ {xià jiàn}

dastardly; sometimes used to describe a woman who is often disloyal to her husband / boyfriend by having affairs with other men; it can also describe an unmarried woman who is overly open in her sex life and doesn't live her life with integrity and dignity

係咪〔系-〕 hai⁶ mai⁶ {xì mī}

used in asking questions in conversations, similar to saying "is it ….?"; "Isn't it?" / "Yes or no?"

口密 hau² mat⁶ {kǒu mì}

tight-lipped, someone who doesn't like talking or gossiping; good in keeping secret

喉擒 hau⁴ kam⁴ {hóu qín}

can't wait for; desperate

喉禽 hau⁴ kam⁴ {hóu qín}

can't wait for; desperate

又話〔-话〕 jau⁶ waa⁶ {yòu huà}

say also; referring to things one said before, similar to saying "didn't you say…?"

禁色 kam¹ sik¹ {jìn sè}

a long lasting color that doesn't wear off or fade away easily

懶理〔懒-〕 laan⁵ lei⁵ {lǎn lǐ}

couldn't care less

唔得 m⁴ dak¹ {ń de}

can't; "no way"; "no"

唔掂 m⁴ dim⁶ {wú diān}

no good; won't do

唔曉〔-晓〕 m⁴ hiu² {ń xiǎo}

don't know/ understand

唔好 m⁴ hou² {wú hǎo}

(phrase) don't.

唔理 m⁴ lei⁵ {ń lǐ}

never mind; don't care; to not care about; regardless

唔識〔-识〕 m⁴ sik¹ {ń shí}

(verb) don't know

唔通 m⁴ tung¹ {ń tōng}

"could it be that…."; "don't tell me that…"; often used in a sentence to emphasize the rhetorical tone of a question, with a similar effect to adding 'surely….' to a question

唔准 m⁴ zeon² {ń zhǔn}

don't; not allowed

唔知 m⁴ zi¹ {ń zhī}

don't know (spoken)

咪搞 mai⁵ gaau² {mī gǎo}

Don't include/ involve me, don't count me in

咪喐 mai⁵ juk¹ {mī yù}

don't move

咪郁 mai⁵ juk¹ {mī yù}

don't move

咪拘 mai⁵ keoi¹ {mī jū}

don't hold yourself; or also an expression of rejection, don't think or don't dare

咪話〔-话〕 mai⁵ waa⁶ {mī huà}

don't say

咪係〔-系〕 mai⁶ hai⁶ {mī xì}

to be; that's right; isn't it like that

冇計〔-计〕 mou⁵ gai² {mǎo jì}

no alternative, no way around, no use in arguing; an expression used to tell someone not to make a fuss about the trivial matters, usually as a kind gesture to a friend, similar to saying something to the effect of "don't worry about it" ;

冇有 mou⁵ jau⁵ {mǎo yǒu}

haven't

衰仔 seoi¹ zai² {shuāi zǎi}

(n.) a naughty boy; a bad kid; (appellation) 'naughty boy' / 'bad boy', usually used as a form of address by parents to call one's son (especially when scolding them); 'little rascal', a form of address for someone who annoys you too much; (adjective) to be of not such good character, usually to describe when someone does something which is not so good (morally) or when someone acts in a way that they shouldn't (this can be considered as a toned down version to the adjective '衰格')

掃風〔扫风〕 sou³ fung¹ {sǎo fēng}

to pat babies' back so they won't puke out the milk; to burp a baby

叔記〔-记〕 suk¹ gei³ {shū jì}

an appellation used to address a middle age or elderly man whose one doesn't know the name of, used in situation such as when talking to a random middle age / elderly man on the street

貪多〔贪-〕 taam¹ do¹ {tān duō}

have the mindset that more is better (whereas in reality this isn't always true); to have a mentality of 'quantity has a quality all its own' or 'quantity is quality'

話知〔话-〕 waa⁶ zi¹ {huà zhī}

don't care; who cares about

直頭〔-头〕 zik⁶ tau⁴ {zhí tóu}

(adv.) altogether (to do something outright), (e.g. 佢唔單止訓得少, 有時直頭唔訓 He doesn't sleep much, sometimes he skips sleeping altogether); definitely; absolutely; totally; completely; directly; undoubtedly; unquestionably; literally

提防 {tífáng}

1. to guard against
2. to be vigilant
3. watch you don't (slip)
4. also pr. [ti2 fang2]

罷了〔罢-〕 baa⁶ liu⁵ {bà liǎo}

a modal particle indicating (don't mind it, ok)

不禁 bat¹ gam¹ {bù jīn}

1. can't help (doing sth)
2. can't refrain from

不行 bat¹ hang⁴ {bù xíng}

1. won't do
2. be out of the question
3. be no good
4. not work
5. not be capable

不許〔-许〕 bat¹ heoi² {bù xǔ}

1. not to allow
2. must not
3. can't

不興〔-兴〕 bat¹ hing¹ {bù xīng}

1. out of fashion
2. outmoded
3. impermissible
4. can't

不由 bat¹ jau⁴ {bù yóu}

can't help (doing sth)

不要 bat¹ jiu³ {bù yào}

1. don't!
2. must not

不成 bat¹ sing⁴ {bù chéng}

1. won't do
2. unable to
3. (at the end of a rhetorical question) can that be?

不送 bat¹ sung³ {bù sòng}

don't bother to see me out

不會〔-会〕 bat¹ wui⁵ {bù huì}

1. improbable
2. unlikely
3. will not (act, happen etc)
4. not able
5. not having learned to do sth
6. (coll.) (Tw) don't mention it
7. not at all

不謝〔-谢〕 bat¹ ze⁶ {bù xiè}

1. don't mention it
2. not at all

並非〔并-〕 bing⁶ fei¹ {bìng fēi}

really isn't

別理〔别-〕 bit⁶ lei⁵ {bié lǐ}

1. don't get involved
2. ignore it!
3. don't have anything to do with (him, her etc)
4. don't speak to

暴龍〔-龙〕 bou⁶ lung⁴ {bào lóng}

1. Tyrannosaurus spp.
2. esp. T. rex

切莫 cit³ mok⁶ {qiè mò}

1. you must not
2. Please don't...
3. be sure not to
4. on no account (do it)

丁字 ding¹ zi⁶ {dīng zì}

T-shaped

倒是 dou³ si⁶ {dào shi}

1. contrary to what one might expect
2. actually
3. contrariwise
4. why don't you

廢話〔废话〕 fai³ waa² {fèi huà}

1. nonsense
2. rubbish
3. superfluous words
4. You don't say!
5. No kidding! (gently sarcastic)

感冒 gam² mou⁶ {gǎn mào}

1. to catch cold
2. (common) cold
3. CL: 場,次
4. (coll.) to be interested in (often used in the negative)
5. (Tw) to detest
6. can't stand

久違〔-违〕 gau² wai⁴ {jiǔ wéi}

1. (haven't done sth) for a long time
2. a long time since we last met

掛齒〔挂齿〕 gwaa³ ci² {guà chǐ}

to mention (e.g. "don't mention it")

過譽〔过誉〕 gwo³ jyu⁶ {guò yù}

1. to praise too much
2. I really don't deserve so much praise

豈不〔岂-〕 hei² bat¹ {qǐ bù}

1. how couldn't...?
2. wouldn't it...?

豈非〔岂-〕 hei² fei¹ {qǐ fēi}

wouldn't it be ... ?

豈敢〔岂-〕 hei² gam² {qǐ gǎn}

1. how could one dare?
2. I don't deserve such praise

輕饒〔轻饶〕 hing¹ jiu⁴ {qīng ráo}

1. to forgive easily
2. to let off lightly (often with negative: you won't get away with it)

開交〔开-〕 hoi¹ gaau¹ {kāi jiāo}

1. (used with negative) to conclude
2. (impossible) to end
3. (can't) finish

好道 hou² dou⁶ {hǎo dào}

1. don't tell me ...
2. could it be that...?

休想 jau¹ soeng² {xiū xiǎng}

1. don't think (that)
2. don't imagine (that)

圓領〔圆领〕 jyun⁴ leng⁵ {yuán lǐng}

1. crew neck
2. round neck (of pull-over garment, e.g. T-shirt)

雷德 leoi⁴ dak¹ {Léi dé}

Clark T. Randt Jr. (1945-), US ambassador to Beijing since 2001

未免 mei⁶ min⁵ {wèi miǎn}

1. unavoidably
2. can't help
3. really
4. rather

莫不 mok⁶ bat¹ {mò bù}

1. none doesn't
2. there is none who isn't
3. everyone

無妨〔无-〕 mou⁴ fong⁴ {wú fáng}

1. no harm (in doing it)
2. One might as well.
3. It won't hurt.
4. no matter
5. it's no bother

無可〔无-〕 mou⁴ ho² {wú kě}

can't

毋忘 mou⁴ mong⁴ {wú wàng}

Don't forget! (literary)

沒錯〔没错〕 mut⁶ co³ {méi cuò}

1. that's right
2. sure!
3. rest assured!
4. that's good
5. can't go wrong

沒有〔没-〕 mut⁶ jau⁵ {méi yǒu}

1. haven't
2. hasn't
3. doesn't exist
4. to not have
5. to not be

難保〔难-〕 naan⁴ bou² {nán bǎo}

1. hard to say
2. can't guarantee
3. difficult to protect
4. difficult to preserve

難道〔难-〕 naan⁴ dou⁶ {nán dào}

1. don't tell me ...
2. could it be that...?

能否 nang⁴ fau² {néng fǒu}

1. whether or not
2. can it or can't it
3. is it possible?

三通 saam¹ tung¹ {sān tōng}

1. T-joint
2. T-piece
3. T-pipe
4. three links

是否 si⁶ fau² {shì fǒu}

1. whether (or not)
2. if
3. is or isn't

送氣〔-气〕 sung³ hei³ {sòng qì}

aspiration (phonetics, explosion of breath on consonants distinguishing Chinese p, t from b, d)

體恤〔体-〕 tai² seot¹ {tǐ xù}

1. to empathize with
2. to show solicitude for
3. T-shirt (loanword)

提防 tai⁴ fong⁴ {dī fáng}

1. to guard against
2. to be vigilant
3. watch you don't (slip)
4. also pr. [ti2 fang2]

推手 teoi¹ sau² {tuī shǒu}

1. promoter
2. advocate
3. driving force
4. pushing hands (two-person training routine esp. in t'ai chi)

Ｔ恤 ti¹ seot¹ {T xù}

T-shirt

Ｔ裇 ti¹ seot¹ {T xū}

T-shirt

真怪 zan¹ gwaai³ {zhēn guài}

1. odd
2. unusual
3. I can't believe that ...

得啖笑 dak¹ daam⁶ siu³ {de dàn xiào}

(phrase) just for a laugh; to describe something which doesn't really have any real impact or is of little significance

等唔切 dang² m⁴ cit³ {děng ḿ qiè}

can't wait

定晒形 ding⁶ saai³ jing⁴ {dìng shài xíng}

the shape or form of something or the characteristic of someone is fixed and can't be changed or altered anymore; frozen in place

瞓唔著〔--着〕 fan³ m⁴ zoek⁶ {fèn ń zháo}

can't fall asleep

火遮眼 fo² ze¹ ngaan⁵ {huǒ zhē yǎn}

describes a person who is blinded by their emotions (especially when angry or agitated) and as a result has done something (such as acted aggressively or said something which is hurtful to others) which he/she didn't mean to do; to be in a moment of anger; to get into a sudden fit of anger

噉唔係〔啖-系〕 gam² m⁴ hai⁶ {dàn ń xì}

that isn't…

估唔到 gu² m⁴ dou² {gū ń dào}

cannot guess; used to describe a person who is hard to predict or unpredictable; literal translation: can't figure out; "didn't expect that"; "did not see that that coming"; "who would have thought / guessed that…"

鬼揞眼 gwai² am² ngaan⁵ {guǐ ǎn yǎn}

a situation where a person can't see or notice something obvious; literally: 'ghost blocking the vision'; a Freudian slip

係咪先〔系--〕 hai⁶ mai⁶ sin¹ {xì mī xiān}

isn't it [mostly question]

口啞啞〔-哑哑〕 hau² aa² aa² {kǒu è è}

describes a situation where a person is being questioned until the extent when he or she can't answer any further; to be tongue-tied

忍唔住 jan² m⁴ zyu⁶ {rěn ń zhù}

can't bear or tolerate any longer; cannot resist against doing something

又點話〔-点话〕 jau⁶ dim² waa⁶ {yòu diǎn huà}

no problem; it doesn't matter; to indicate that someone doesn't care

爛瞓豬〔烂-猪〕 laan⁶ fan³ zyu¹ {làn fèn zhū}

describes a person who likes to sleep a lot; someone who sleeps all the time; a lazy person who doesn't want to get out of bed; literally 'a lazy sleeping pig'

落水狗 lok⁶ seoi² gau² {luò shuǐ gǒu}

bad guy who doesn't get power anymore

唔得掂 m⁴ dak¹ dim⁶ {ń de diān}

(slang) not okay; not good; no good; won't do; to be going through a hard / rough time

唔敢当 m⁴ gam² dong¹ {ń gǎn dāng}

don't dare to be

唔緊要〔-紧-〕 m⁴ gan² jiu³ {wú jǐn yào}

(slang) it doesn't matter; no worries

唔怪得 m⁴ gwaai³ dak¹ {ń guài dé}

that's why; no wonder; can't blame

唔好嘈 m⁴ hou² cou⁴ {ń hǎo cáo}

don't speak

唔好喐 m⁴ hou² juk¹ {ń hǎo yù}

don't move

唔好話〔--话〕 m⁴ hou² waa⁶ {ń hǎo huà}

don't say

唔認得〔-认-〕 m⁴ jing⁶ dak¹ {wú rèn de}

can't recognize

唔怕醜〔--丑〕 m⁴ paa³ cau² {ń pà chǒu}

not feeling shy; not feeling ugly; don't mind ugly; not scared of being ugly; shameless

唔使慌 m⁴ sai² fong¹ {ḿ shǐ huāng}

(phrase) don't be afraid; don't panic; don't count on

唔使恨 m⁴ sai² han⁶ {ḿ shǐ hèn}

(slang) don't wish for; no need to be jealous of; don't count on; don't even think about

唔熟性 m⁴ suk⁶ sing³ {ń shú xìng}

describes a person who doesn't know how to deal with people in a proper manner; to not understand the ways of the world

唔聽笛〔-听-〕 m⁴ teng¹ dek² {ń tīng dí}

don't listen to orders

唔爭在〔-争-〕 m⁴ zaang¹ zoi⁶ {ń zhēng zài}

might as well do something (it is just as well, since it has already gone so far, things can't get much worse)

唔知幾〔--几〕 m⁴ zi¹ gei² {ń zhī jǐ}

don't know why it is so…

唔志在 m⁴ zi³ zoi⁶ {ń zhì zài}

the attitude to not mind or be bothered with something; to not to care about something; to not to give a damn about something; commonly used to describe a person who has a lot, doesn't mind to give or lose a bit from what he/she has

唔阻你 m⁴ zo² nei⁵ {ń zǔ nǐ}

don't bother you

唔在乎 m⁴ zoi⁶ fu⁴ {wú zài hu}

don't care

冇所謂〔--谓〕 mou⁵ so² wai⁶ {mǎo suǒ wèi}

doesn't matter (spoken)

冇相干 mou⁵ soeng¹ gon¹ {mǎo xiāng gān}

(slang) never mind; it's OK; it doesn't matter; don't worry about it; (adjective) irrelevant; to have nothing to do with…

我唔知 ngo⁵ m⁴ zi¹ {wǒ ń zhī}

I don't know

四方木 sei³ fong¹ muk⁶ {sì fāng mù}

a slacker; those who doesn't know how to adapt to changing circumstances and are set in their ways (literally: a squared wood); describes someone who is very passive

睡不著〔--着〕 seoi⁶ bat¹ zoek⁶ {shuì bu zháo}

can't fall asleep

食軟飯〔-软饭〕 sik⁶ jyun⁵ faan⁶ {shí ruǎn fàn}

describes the situation where a man who doesn't work hard in life takes the easy way out by solely relying on a woman to survive (especially in the financial aspect); literally 'to eat soft rice'

食塞米 sik⁶ sak¹ mai⁵ {shí sāi mǐ}

(phrase) describes someone who is so stupid and useless that it is a waste of food and money to raise him; describes someone who is undersized and doesn't appear to grow in size

睇唔開〔--开〕 tai² m⁴ hoi¹ {dì ń kāi}

(verb) can't find a solution; can't find a way out

塘邊鶴〔-边鹤〕 tong⁴ bin¹ hok⁶ {táng biān hè}

it is a Chinese two-part allegorical phrase. Literally, a crane near the pond, which will target the food to eat. Nowaday, people tend to use it to describe a spectator or someone who sits on the side and doesn't get involved be it in sports, politics, etc.

話唔埋〔话--〕 waa⁶ m⁴ maai⁴ {huà ń mái}

(adverb) maybe; possibly; perhaps; probably; to describe the uncertainty of something occurring; (phrase) there is a good chance that…; it is possible that…; can't say for sure; cannot be certain about; it's hard to say; it's difficult to predict

話知佢〔话-渠〕 waa⁶ zi¹ keoi⁵ {huà zhī qú}

don't care; who cares about

黃面婆〔黄--〕 wong⁴ min⁶ po⁴ {huáng miàn pó}

(slang) derogatory term for a housewife who doesn't dress up nicely and doesn't care much about their appearance

黃腫腳〔黄肿脚〕 wong⁴ zung² goek³ {huáng zhǒng jiǎo}

literally: swollen feet; "don't mention it anymore"; "don't talk about it"; "forget it" 8

詐唔知〔诈--〕 zaa³ m⁴ zi¹ {zhà ń zhī}

To pretend he/she don't know about something; to pretend to be ignorant

裝假狗〔装--〕 zong¹ gaa² gau² {zhuāng jiǎ gǒu}

(verb) to put up a front, pretend to be something that you're not or to have something that you don't, e.g. to improve one's appearance with heavy makeup / a push-up bra

拗不過〔--过〕 aau³ bat¹ gwo³ {niù bu guò}

1. can't persuade
2. unable to make (sb) change their mind
3. unable to resist (sb)

辦不到〔办--〕 baan⁶ bat¹ dou³ {bàn bu dào}

1. impossible
2. can't be done
3. no can do
4. unable to accomplish

不打緊〔--紧〕 bat¹ daa² gan² {bù dǎ jǐn}

1. unimportant
2. not serious
3. it doesn't matter
4. never mind

不得不 bat¹ dak¹ bat¹ {bù dé bù}

1. have no choice or option but to
2. cannot but
3. have to
4. can't help it
5. can't avoid

不敢當〔--当〕 bat¹ gam² dong¹ {bù gǎn dāng}

1. lit. I dare not (accept the honor); fig. I don't deserve your praise
2. you flatter me

不客氣〔--气〕 bat¹ haak³ hei³ {bù kè qi}

1. you're welcome
2. don't mention it
3. impolite
4. rude
5. blunt

不輕饒〔-轻饶〕 bat¹ hing¹ jiu⁴ {bù qīng ráo}

1. not to forgive easily
2. not to let off
3. (You, He) won't get away with it!

不開竅〔-开窍〕 bat¹ hoi¹ hiu³ {bù kāi qiào}

1. unable to understand
2. can't get the point

不好說〔--说〕 bat¹ hou² syut³ {bù hǎo shuō}

1. hard to say
2. unpleasant to say
3. can't be sure

不由得 bat¹ jau⁴ dak¹ {bù yóu de}

1. can't help
2. cannot but

不要緊〔--紧〕 bat¹ jiu³ gan² {bù yào jǐn}

1. unimportant
2. not serious
3. it doesn't matter
4. never mind
5. it looks all right, but

不用謝〔--谢〕 bat¹ jung⁶ ze⁶ {bù yòng xiè}

1. You're welcome
2. Don't mention it

不買賬〔-买账〕 bat¹ maai⁵ zoeng³ {bù mǎi zhàng}

1. not to acknowledge sb as senior or superior
2. not to believe sth
3. don't buy it (slang)

不是嗎〔--吗〕 bat¹ si⁶ maa³ {bù shì ma}

isn't that so?

不划算 bat¹ waa⁴ syun³ {bù huá suàn}

1. it isn't worth it
2. not cost-effective
3. not profitable
4. too expensive

比不上 bei² bat¹ soeng⁵ {bǐ bù shàng}

can't compare with

別客氣〔别-气〕 bit⁶ haak³ hei³ {bié kè qi}

1. don't mention it
2. no formalities, please

別提了〔别--〕 bit⁶ tai⁴ liu⁵ {bié tí le}

1. say no more
2. don't bring it up
3. drop the subject

別著急〔别着-〕 bit⁶ zoek⁶ gap¹ {bié zháo jí}

Don't worry!

等不及 dang² bat¹ kap⁶ {děng bù jí}

can't wait

對不上〔对--〕 deoi³ bat¹ soeng⁵ {duì bù shàng}

1. to disagree
2. I can't agree with that.

丁字步 ding¹ zi⁶ bou⁶ {dīng zì bù}

T-step (basic dance position, with the feet forming a T shape)

丁字尺 ding¹ zi⁶ cek³ {dīng zì chǐ}

1. T-square
2. set square (carpenter's tool)

丁字街 ding¹ zi⁶ gaai¹ {dīng zì jiē}

T-junction

丁字梁 ding¹ zi⁶ loeng⁴ {dīng zì liáng}

T-girder

躲不起 do² bat¹ hei² {duǒ bu qǐ}

1. can't avoid
2. can't hide from
3. unavoidable

當回事〔当--〕 dong³ wui⁴ si⁶ {dàng huí shì}

1. to take seriously (often with negative expression: "don't take it too seriously")
2. to treat conscientiously

火星文 fo² sing¹ man⁴ {Huǒ xīng wén}

1. lit. Martian language
2. fig. Internet slang used to communicate secret messages that the general public or government can't understand

架不住 gaa³ bat¹ zyu⁶ {jià bu zhù}

1. (coll.) unable to withstand
2. cannot bear
3. can't stand it
4. no match for

鹼基對〔碱-对〕 gaan² gei¹ deoi³ {jiǎn jī duì}

base pair (bp) consisting of two complementary nucleotides (adenine A 腺嘌呤 paired with thymine T 胸腺嘧啶 in DNA)

記不住〔记--〕 gei³ bat¹ zyu⁶ {jì bu zhù}

can't remember

見不得〔见--〕 gin³ bat¹ dak¹ {jiàn bu dé}

1. not fit to be seen by
2. should not be exposed to
3. can't bear to see

經不起〔经--〕 ging¹ bat¹ hei² {jīng bu qǐ}

1. can't stand it
2. to be unable to bear
3. to be unable to resist

趕不上〔赶--〕 gon² bat¹ soeng⁵ {gǎn bù shàng}

1. can't keep up with
2. can't catch up with
3. cannot overtake

管他的 gun² taa¹ dik¹ {guǎn tā de}

1. don’t worry about (it, him etc)
2. doesn’t matter
3. whatever
4. anyway

管他呢 gun² taa¹ ne¹ {guǎn tā ne}

1. don’t worry about (it, him etc)
2. doesn’t matter
3. whatever
4. anyway

鬼扯腳〔--脚〕 gwai² ce² goek³ {guǐ chě jiǎo}

1. lit. ghost pulls your leg
2. involuntary tug of muscles
3. fig. very unlucky
4. fig. argumentative
5. fig. can't help doing it

鬼扯腿 gwai² ce² teoi² {guǐ chě tuǐ}

1. lit. ghost pulls your leg
2. involuntary tug of muscles
3. fig. very unlucky
4. fig. argumentative
5. fig. can't help doing it

廣告衫〔广--〕 gwong² gou³ saam¹ {guǎng gào shān}

1. promotional T-shirt
2. CL: 件

行不通 haang⁴ bat¹ tung¹ {xíng bu tōng}

1. won't work
2. will get (you) nowhere

吃不開〔--开〕 hek³ bat¹ hoi¹ {chī bu kāi}

1. be unpopular
2. won't work

看不出 hon³ bat¹ ceot¹ {kàn bu chū}

1. can't see
2. can't make out
3. unable to tell

有木有 jau⁵ muk⁶ jau⁵ {yǒu mù yǒu}

1. (slang) come on, you can't deny it!
2. don't you think so?!
3. (melodramatic form of 有沒有)

惹不起 je⁵ bat¹ hei² {rě bu qǐ}

1. can't afford to offend
2. dare not provoke
3. difficult to deal with
4. insufferable

耳邊風〔-边风〕 ji⁵ bin¹ fung¹ {ěr biān fēng}

1. lit. wind past your ear
2. fig. sth you don't pay much attention to
3. in one ear and out the other

耳旁風〔--风〕 ji⁵ pong⁴ fung¹ {ěr páng fēng}

1. lit. wind past your ear
2. fig. sth you don't pay much attention to
3. in one ear and out the other

禁不住 kam¹ bat¹ zyu⁶ {jīn bu zhù}

1. can't help it
2. can't bear it

劉天華〔刘-华〕 lau⁴ tin¹ waa⁴ {Liú Tiān huá}

Liu T'ien-hua

李遠哲〔-远-〕 lei⁵ jyun⁵ zit³ {Lǐ Yuǎn zhé}

Yuan T. Lee (1936-), Taiwanese-born Chemist and Nobel Prize winner in 1986

買不起〔买--〕 maai⁵ bat¹ hei² {mǎi bu qǐ}

1. cannot afford
2. can't afford buying

免不了 min⁵ bat¹ liu⁵ {miǎn bù liǎo}

1. unavoidable
2. can't be avoided

莫不聞〔--闻〕 mok⁶ bat¹ man⁴ {mò bù wén}

there is no-one who doesn't know that

無不達〔无-达〕 mou⁴ bat¹ daat⁶ {wú bù dá}

nothing he can't do

沒辦法〔没办-〕 mut⁶ baan⁶ faat³ {méi bàn fǎ}

1. there is nothing to be done
2. one can't do anything about it

沒關係〔没关系〕 mut⁶ gwaan¹ hai⁶ {méi guān xi}

it doesn't matter

沒甚麼〔没什么〕 mut⁶ sam⁶ mo¹ {méi shén me}

1. nothing
2. it doesn't matter
3. it's nothing
4. never mind

沒想到〔没--〕 mut⁶ soeng² dou³ {méi xiǎng dào}

didn't expect

受不了 sau⁶ bat¹ liu⁵ {shòu bù liǎo}

1. unbearable
2. unable to endure
3. can't stand

是不是 si⁶ bat¹ si⁶ {shì bù shì}

1. is or isn't
2. yes or no
3. whether or not

腺嘌呤 sin³ piu¹ ling⁴ {xiàn piào lìng}

adenine nucleotide (A, pairs with thymine T 胸腺嘧啶 in DNA and with uracil U 尿嘧啶 in RNA)

舌尖音 sit³ zim¹ jam¹ {shé jiān yīn}

apical consonant (produced with the tip of the tongue, i.e. d or t)

少塊肉〔-块-〕 siu² faai³ juk⁶ {shǎo kuài ròu}

1. (coll.) (usually used in the negative) (can't) hurt (to do sth)
2. (won't) hurt (to do sth)

說不定〔说--〕 syut³ bat¹ ding⁶ {shuō bu dìng}

1. can't say for sure
2. maybe

說不準〔说-准〕 syut³ bat¹ zeon² {shuō bù zhǔn}

1. unable to say
2. can't say precisely

太極拳〔-极-〕 taai³ gik⁶ kyun⁴ {tài jí quán}

1. shadowboxing or Taiji, T'aichi or T'aichichuan
2. traditional form of physical exercise or relaxation
3. a martial art

談不攏〔谈-拢〕 taam⁴ bat¹ lung⁵ {tán bù lǒng}

can't come to an agreement

體恤衫〔体--〕 tai² seot¹ saam¹ {tǐ xù shān}

1. T-shirt
2. CL: 件

Ｔ字帳〔--帐〕 ti¹ zi⁶ zoeng³ {T zì zhàng}

T-account (accounting)

聽不到〔听--〕 ting¹ bat¹ dou³ {tīng bu dào}

can't hear

逃不出 tou⁴ bat¹ ceot¹ {táo bù chū}

1. unable to escape
2. can't get out

找不到 zaau² bat¹ dou³ {zhǎo bu dào}

can't find

阿狗阿貓〔---猫〕 aa³ gau² aa³ maau¹ {ā gǒu ā māo}

an indefinite phrase used to refer to a hypothetical individual, "any old person"; "anyone whatsoever"; "whoever"; "doesn't matter who"

不成問題〔--问题〕 bat¹ sing⁴ man⁶ tai⁴ {bù chéng wèn tí}

Won't be a problem

千祈唔好 cin¹ kei⁴ m⁴ hou² {qiān qí ḿ hǎo}

I hope it won't

睬佢都傻〔-渠--〕 coi² keoi⁵ dou¹ so⁴ {cǎi qú dōu shǎ}

(slang) no need to pay attention to what someone says / their opinions / their response, etc. implying one should just ignore someone; often said by those who don't want to be compromised

睬你都傻 coi² nei⁵ dou¹ so⁴ {cǎi nǐ dōu shǎ}

ignore you; I can't be bothered with you

點算好呢〔点---〕 dim² syun³ hou² ne¹ {diǎn suàn hǎo ne}

(don't know) what to do?; how to resolve this?

當佢冇嚟〔当渠--〕 dong³ keoi⁵ mou⁵ lei⁴ {dāng qú mǎo lí}

pretend he didn't come; to ignore him / her or not take notice of him/her on purpose

闊佬懶理〔阔-懒-〕 fut³ lou² laan⁵ lei⁵ {kuò lǎo lǎn lǐ}

(phrase)/(adj.) not interested in; not concerned with; indifferent towards; none of one's business; something that doesn't concern oneself; to stand aloof from things that are of no personal interst; to let things drift on the grounds that they do not affect one personally; to not bother to intervene; not in the least concerned about something

過橋抽板〔过桥--〕 gwo³ kiu⁴ cau¹ baan² {guò qiáo chōu bǎn}

describes a situation where a person doesn't reciprocate the help of others and is ungrateful to those who helped him/her

行行企企 haang⁴ haang⁴ kei⁵ kei⁵ {háng háng qǐ qǐ}

(verb / adjective) to walk around with nothing to do; to be at idle; to idle away one's time; to describe someone who is unimportant (i.e. someone who has no important task / purpose or who doesn't really do anything)

可不是嗎〔---吗〕 ho² bat¹ si⁶ maa¹ {kě bu shì ma}

no? don't you think so?

有前冇後〔---后〕 jau⁵ cin⁴ mou⁵ hau⁶ {yǒu qián mǎo hòu}

when we say "有前冇後, 打死罷就" it describes peope doing something and just looking ahead, don't consider the result, finally to fail utterly

有怪莫怪 jau⁵ gwaai³ mok⁶ gwaai³ {yǒu guài mò guài}

please don't be upset; no hard feelings, no offense

有口無心〔--无-〕 jau⁵ hau² mou⁴ sam¹ {yǒukǒuwúxīn}

(People) don't mean what they say

咿咿哦哦 ji⁴ ji¹ o⁴ o⁴ {yī yī ó ó}

to keep talking about irrelevant things or things don't matter

嚟唔得切 lei⁴ m⁴ dak¹ cit³ {lí ń de qiè}

can't make it on time

唔係吖嗎〔-系-吗〕 m⁴ hai⁶ aa¹ maa³ {ń xì ā ma}

it can't be true

唔係噉話〔-系啖话〕 m⁴ hai⁶ gam² waa² {ń xì dàn huà}

don't say that, which is used in flattering or thanking somebody

唔使客氣〔---气〕 m⁴ sai² haak³ hei³ {ḿ shǐ kè qi}

no thank you; don't have to be courteous

唔使擇日〔--择-〕 m⁴ sai² zaak⁶ jat⁶ {ḿ shǐ zé rì}

don't have to pick a good date

唔使指擬〔---拟〕 m⁴ sai² zi² ji² {ḿ shǐ zhǐ nǐ}

"don't even think about..."; to not get hopes up on something; "over my dead body"; to not hold any expectations

唔使旨意 m⁴ sai² zi² ji³ {ḿ shǐ zhǐ yì}

no way; don't you dare

唔識駕步〔-识驾-〕 m⁴ sik¹ gaa³ bou⁶ {ń shí jià bù}

don't understand the situation; not familiar with the situation

唔製得過〔-制-过〕 m⁴ zai³ dak¹ gwo³ {ń zhì dé guò}

don't worthwhile to do

唔知好醜〔---丑〕 m⁴ zi¹ hou² cau² {ń zhī hǎo chǒu}

1. doesn't matter if it is good or bad 2. one who does not accept kindness or good intentions from others

未嘗不可〔-尝--〕 mei⁶ soeng⁴ bat¹ ho² {wèi cháng bù kě}

not a bad idea; it's not impossible; there's no reason why it shouldn't/couldn't be done

杳無音訊〔-无-讯〕 miu⁵ mou⁴ jam¹ seon³ {yǎo wú yīn xùn}

haven't heard anything from them since

冇大冇細〔---细〕 mou⁵ daai⁶ mou⁵ sai³ {mǎo dà mǎo xì}

'don't know one's place': describes a disrespectful behavior towards an elder, normally a saying from an elder to the youngster who disrespects them

冇紋冇路〔-纹--〕 mou⁵ man⁴ mou⁵ lou⁶ {mǎo wén mǎo lù}

illogical; doesn't make sense

相逢恨晚 soeng¹ fung⁴ han⁶ maan⁵ {xiāng féng hèn wǎn}

regret we didn't meet sooner

貼錯門神〔贴错门-〕 tip³ co³ mun⁴ san⁴ {tiē cuò mén shén}

two people don't get along with each other; to be at odds with each other

敝帚千金 bai⁶ zau² cin¹ gam¹ {bì zhǒu qiān jīn}

1. lit. my worn-out broom, a thousand in gold (idiom); fig. sentimental value
2. I wouldn't be parted with it for anything.

不啻天淵〔---渊〕 bat¹ ci³ tin¹ jyun¹ {bù chì tiān yuān}

1. no less than from heaven to the abyss (idiom); differing widely
2. worlds apart
3. the gap couldn't be bigger

不懂裝懂〔--装-〕 bat¹ dung² zong¹ dung² {bù dǒng zhuāng dǒng}

to pretend to understand when you don't

不見不散〔-见--〕 bat¹ gin³ bat¹ saan³ {bù jiàn bù sàn}

1. (lit.) Even if we don't see each other, don't give up and leave (idiom)
2. Be sure to wait!
3. See you there!

不經一事〔-经--〕 bat¹ ging¹ jat¹ si⁶ {bù jīng yī shì}

You can't gain knowledge without practical experience (idiom); wisdom only comes with experience

不由自主 bat¹ jau⁴ zi⁶ zyu² {bù yóu zì zhǔ}

can't help; involuntarily (idiom)

不亦樂乎〔--乐-〕 bat¹ jik⁶ lok⁶ fu⁴ {bù yì lè hū}

1. lit. isn't that a joy? (quote from Confucius)
2. fig. (jocularly) extremely
3. awfully

不用客氣〔---气〕 bat¹ jung⁶ haak³ hei³ {bù yòng kè qi}

1. You're welcome (that is, please don't thank me)
2. There is no need to stand on ceremonies.

不明覺厲〔--觉厉〕 bat¹ ming⁴ gok³ lai⁶ {bù míng jué lì}

although I don't understand it, it seems pretty awesome (Internet slang)

不識高低〔-识--〕 bat¹ sik¹ gou¹ dai¹ {bù shí gāo dī}

can't recognize tall or short (idiom); doesn't know what's what

不識泰山〔-识--〕 bat¹ sik¹ taai³ saan¹ {bù shí Tài Shān}

can't recognize Mt Taishan (idiom); fig. not to recognize a famous person

不傷脾胃〔-伤--〕 bat¹ soeng¹ pei⁴ wai⁶ {bù shāng pí wèi}

1. lit. doesn't hurt the spleen or the stomach
2. fig. something that is not critical

不痛不癢〔---痒〕 bat¹ tung³ bat¹ joeng⁵ {bù tòng bù yǎng}

1. lit. doesn't hurt, doesn't tickle (idiom); sth is wrong, but not quite sure what
2. fig. not getting to any matter of substance
3. scratching the surface
4. superficial
5. perfunctory

不知凡幾〔---几〕 bat¹ zi¹ faan⁴ gei² {bù zhī fán jǐ}

1. one can't tell how many
2. numerous similar cases

不知輕重〔--轻-〕 bat¹ zi¹ hing¹ cung⁵ {bù zhī qīng zhòng}

1. lit. not knowing what's important (idiom); no appreciation of the gravity of things
2. naive
3. doesn't know who's who
4. no sense of priorities

跋前躓後〔--踬后〕 bat⁶ cin⁴ zi³ hau⁶ {bá qián zhì hòu}

to trip forwards or stumble back (idiom, from Book of Songs); can't get anything right

別太客氣〔别--气〕 bit⁶ taai³ haak³ hei³ {bié tài kè qi}

1. lit. no excessive politeness
2. Don't mention it!
3. You're welcome!
4. Please don't stand on ceremony.

本性難移〔--难-〕 bun² sing³ naan⁴ ji⁴ {běn xìng nán yí}

1. It is hard to change one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
2. Can the leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)

插翅難飛〔--难飞〕 caap³ ci³ naan⁴ fei¹ {chā chì nán fēi}

lit. even given wings, you couldn't fly (idiom); fig. impossible to escape

千金難買〔--难买〕 cin¹ gam¹ naan⁴ maai⁵ {qiān jīn nán mǎi}

can't be bought for one thousand in gold (idiom)

請別見怪〔请别见-〕 cing² bit⁶ gin³ gwaai³ {qǐng bié jiàn guài}

1. please don't be upset
2. no hard feelings
3. absit iniuria verbis
4. let injury by words be absent

戴盆望天 daai³ pun⁴ mong⁶ tin¹ {dài pén wàng tiān}

1. lit. viewing the sky with a basin on one's head; it is hard to get a clear view of the sky while carrying a platter on one's head
2. fig. it is hard to get on in one's career while encumbered by family obligations
3. one can't perform a major task while bothered by other duties

大器晚成 daai⁶ hei³ maan⁵ sing⁴ {dà qì wǎn chéng}

1. lit. it takes a long time to make a big pot (idiom); fig. a great talent matures slowly
2. in the fullness of time a major figure will develop into a pillar of the state
3. Rome wasn't built in a day

第比利斯 dai⁶ bei² lei⁶ si¹ {Dì bì lì sī}

T'bilisi, capital of Georgia or Gruzia 格魯吉亞

丁骨牛排 ding¹ gwat¹ ngau⁴ paai⁴ {dīng gǔ niú pái}

T-bone steak

動輒得咎〔动辄--〕 dung⁶ zip³ dak¹ gau³ {dòng zhé dé jiù}

faulted at every turn (idiom); can't get anything right

反正一樣〔---样〕 faan² zing³ jat¹ joeng⁶ {fǎn zhèng yī yàng}

1. whether it's right or wrong doesn't make a lot of difference
2. six of one and half a dozen of the other
3. as broad as it is long

忽隱忽現〔-隐-现〕 fat¹ jan² fat¹ jin⁶ {hū yǐn hū xiàn}

1. intermittent
2. now you see it, now you don't

防不勝防〔--胜-〕 fong⁴ bat¹ sing¹ fong⁴ {fáng bù shèng fáng}

1. you can't guard against it (idiom)
2. impossible to defend effectively
3. not much one can do about it
4. It can't be prevented.

呼牛呼馬〔---马〕 fu¹ ngau⁴ fu¹ maa⁵ {hū niú hū mǎ}

1. to call sth a cow or a horse (idiom); it doesn't matter what you call it
2. Insult me if you want, I don't care what you call me.

呼牛作馬〔---马〕 fu¹ ngau⁴ zok³ maa⁵ {hū niú zuò mǎ}

1. to call sth a cow or a horse (idiom); it doesn't matter what you call it
2. Insult me if you want, I don't care what you call me.

覆水難收〔--难-〕 fuk¹ seoi² naan⁴ sau¹ {fù shuǐ nán shōu}

1. spilt water is difficult to retrieve (idiom)
2. it's no use crying over spilt milk
3. what's done is done and can't be reversed
4. the damage is done
5. once divorced, there's no reuniting

鹼基配對〔碱--对〕 gaan² gei¹ pui³ deoi³ {jiǎn jī pèi duì}

1. base pairing (e.g. adenine A 腺嘌呤 pairs with thymine T 胸腺嘧啶 in DNA)
2. base pair

今非昔比 gam¹ fei¹ sik¹ bei² {jīn fēi xī bǐ}

1. You can't compare the present with the past.
2. Nothing is as good as in former times.
3. Things ain't what they used to be.

感激不盡〔---尽〕 gam² gik¹ bat¹ zeon⁶ {gǎn jī bù jìn}

can't thank sb enough (idiom)

飢不擇食〔饥-择-〕 gei¹ bat¹ zaak⁶ sik⁶ {jī bù zé shí}

1. when hungry, you can't pick what you eat (idiom); beggars can't be choosers
2. When matters are urgent, don't spend time choosing alternatives.

蓋棺定論〔盖--论〕 goi³ gun¹ ding⁶ leon⁶ {gài guān dìng lùn}

don't pass judgment on a person's life until the lid is on the coffin (idiom)

蓋棺論定〔盖-论-〕 goi³ gun¹ leon⁶ ding⁶ {gài guān lùn dìng}

don't pass judgment on a person's life until the lid is on the coffin (idiom)

高低不就 gou¹ dai¹ bat¹ zau⁶ {gāo dī bù jiù}

can't reach the high or accept the low (idiom); not good enough for a high post, but too proud to take a low one

高攀不上 gou¹ paan¹ bat¹ soeng⁵ {gāo pān bù shàng}

1. can't climb socially
2. unable to claim higher class connections

黑白不分 hak¹ baak⁶ bat¹ fan¹ {hēi bái bù fēn}

can't tell black from white (idiom); unable to distinguish wrong from right

後車之鑒〔后车-鉴〕 hau⁶ ce¹ zi¹ gaam³ {hòu chē zhī jiàn}

1. lit. warning to the following cart (idiom); don't follow the track of an overturned cart
2. fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor
3. learn from past mistake
4. once bitten twice shy

好景不長〔---长〕 hou² ging² bat¹ coeng⁴ {hǎo jǐng bù cháng}

a good thing doesn't last forever (idiom)

空谷足音 hung¹ guk¹ zuk¹ jam¹ {kōng gǔ zú yīn}

1. sound of footsteps in an empty valley (idiom); a rare occurrence
2. That's sth you don't often hear!

胸腺嘧啶 hung¹ sin³ mat⁶ ding⁶ {xiōng xiàn mì dìng}

thymine nucleotide (T, pairs with adenine A 腺嘌呤 in DNA)

飲流懷源〔饮-怀-〕 jam² lau⁴ waai⁴ jyun⁴ {yǐn liú huái yuán}

1. lit. when you drink water, think of its source (idiom); gratitude for blessings and their well-spring
2. Don't forget where your happiness come from.
3. Be grateful for all your blessings!

飲水思源〔饮---〕 jam² seoi² si¹ jyun⁴ {yǐn shuǐ sī yuán}

1. lit. when you drink water, think of its source (idiom); gratitude for blessings and their well-spring
2. Don't forget where your happiness come from.
3. Be grateful for all your blessings!

一步登天 jat¹ bou⁶ dang¹ tin¹ {yī bù dēng tiān}

reaching heaven in a single bound (idiom); (esp. with negative: don't expect) instant success

一竅不通〔-窍--〕 jat¹ hiu³ bat¹ tung¹ {yī qiào bù tōng}

1. lit. doesn't (even) enter a single aperture (of one's head)
2. I don't understand a word (idiom)
3. it's all Greek to me

一葉障目〔-叶--〕 jat¹ jip⁶ zoeng³ muk⁶ {yī yè zhàng mù}

1. lit. eyes obscured by a single leaf (idiom)
2. fig. not seing the wider picture
3. can't see the wood for the trees

有目無睹〔--无-〕 jau⁵ muk⁶ mou⁴ dou² {yǒu mù wú dǔ}

1. has eyes but can't see (idiom); unable or unwilling to see the importance of sth
2. blind (to sth great)

有子存焉 jau⁵ zi² cyun⁴ jin¹ {yǒu zǐ cún yān}

1. I still have sons, don't I?
2. fig. future generations will continue the work

依然如故 ji¹ jin⁴ jyu⁴ gu³ {yī rán rú gù}

1. back to where we were (idiom); absolutely no improvement
2. Things haven't changed at all.

欲罷不能〔-罢--〕 juk⁶ baa⁶ bat¹ nang⁴ {yù bà bù néng}

want to stop but can't (idiom, from Analects); find it impossible to give up

於心不忍〔于---〕 jyu¹ sam¹ bat¹ jan² {yú xīn bù rěn}

can't bear to

魚與熊掌〔鱼与--〕 jyu⁴ jyu⁵ hung⁴ zoeng² {yú yǔ xióng zhǎng}

1. lit. the fish and the bear's paw, you can't have both at the same time (idiom, from Mencius); fig. you must choose one or the other
2. you can't always get everything you want
3. you can't have your cake and eat it

缺一不可 kyut³ jat¹ bat¹ ho² {quē yī bù kě}

1. not a single one is dispensable
2. can't do without either

禮崩樂壞〔礼-乐坏〕 lai⁵ bang¹ ngok⁶ waai⁶ {lǐ bēng yuè huài}

1. rites collapse, music spoilt (idiom); degeneration of feudal religious rites
2. Things ain't what they used to be.

驪黃牝牡〔骊黄--〕 lei⁴ wong⁴ pan⁵ maau⁵ {lí huáng pìn mǔ}

a black stallion or possibly a yellow mare (idiom); don't judge by outward appearance

樂極生悲〔乐极--〕 lok⁶ gik⁶ sang¹ bei¹ {lè jí shēng bēi}

extreme joy turns to sorrow (idiom); Don't celebrate too soon, things could still go wrong!

未敢苟同 mei⁶ gam² gau² tung⁴ {wèi gǎn gǒu tóng}

can't agree with

名不符實〔---实〕 ming⁴ bat¹ fu⁴ sat⁶ {míng bù fú shí}

the name does not correspond to reality (idiom); it doesn't live up to its reputation

無堅不摧〔无坚--〕 mou⁴ gin¹ bat¹ ceoi¹ {wú jiān bù cuī}

1. no stronghold one cannot overcome (idiom); to conquer every obstacle
2. nothing one can't do
3. to carry everything before one

無徵不信〔无征--〕 mou⁴ zing¹ bat¹ seon³ {wú zhēng bù xìn}

without proof one can't believe it (idiom)

目不識丁〔--识-〕 muk⁶ bat¹ sik¹ ding¹ {mù bù shí dīng}

lit. the eye cannot recognize the letter T (idiom); totally illiterate

滿不在乎〔满---〕 mun⁵ bat¹ zoi⁶ fu⁴ {mǎn bù zài hu}

1. not in the least concerned (idiom)
2. reckless
3. couldn't give a damn about it
4. unperturbed
5. couldn't care less
6. harum scarum

哪兒的話〔-儿-话〕 naa⁵ ji⁴ dik¹ waa⁶ {nǎ r de huà}

1. (coll.) not at all (humble expression denying compliment)
2. don't mention it

牝牡驪黃〔--骊黄〕 pan⁵ maau⁵ lei⁴ wong⁴ {pìn mǔ lí huáng}

a black stallion or possibly a yellow mare (idiom); don't judge by outward appearance

三思而行 saam¹ si¹ ji⁴ hang⁴ {sān sī ér xíng}

think three times then go (idiom); don't act before you've thought it through carefully

生米熟飯〔---饭〕 saang¹ mai⁵ suk⁶ faan⁶ {shēng mǐ shú fàn}

1. abbr. for 生米煮成熟飯, lit. the raw rice is now cooked (idiom); fig. it is done and can't be changed
2. It's too late to change anything now.

水清無魚〔--无鱼〕 seoi² cing¹ mou⁴ jyu⁴ {shuǐ qīng wú yú}

1. clear water, so few fish (idiom); You cannot expect everyone to be squeaky clean.
2. Don't be too picky!

適可而止〔适---〕 sik¹ ho² ji⁴ zi² {shì kě ér zhǐ}

1. to stop before going too far (idiom); to stop while one can
2. don't overdo it
3. stop while you're ahead

少管閒事〔--闲-〕 siu² gun² haan⁴ si⁶ {shǎo guǎn xián shì}

1. Mind your own business!
2. Don't interfere!

少安毋躁 siu² on¹ mou⁴ cou³ {shǎo ān wú zào}

1. keep calm, don't get excited
2. don't be impatient

上天入地 soeng⁵ tin¹ jap⁶ dei⁶ {shàng tiān rù dì}

1. lit. to go up to heaven or down to Hades; fig. whichever way, I don't care
2. to decide to go ahead without foreboding

數不過來〔数-过来〕 sou² bat¹ gwo³ loi⁴ {shǔ bù guò lái}

1. can't manage to count
2. too many to count

說葡萄酸〔说---〕 syut³ pou⁴ tou⁴ syun¹ {shuō pú tao suān}

1. sour grapes (set expr. based on Aesop)
2. lit. to say grapes are sour when you can't eat them

天網恢恢〔-网--〕 tin¹ mong⁵ fui¹ fui¹ {tiān wǎng huī huī}

1. lit. heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (idiom, from Laozi 73)
2. fig. the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape
3. you can't run from the long arm of the law

同日而語〔---语〕 tung⁴ jat⁶ ji⁴ jyu⁵ {tóng rì ér yǔ}

lit. to speak of two things on the same day (idiom); to mention things on equal terms (often with negatives: you can't mention X at the same time as Y)

諱莫如深〔讳---〕 wai⁵ mok⁶ jyu⁴ sam¹ {huì mò rú shēn}

important matter that must be kept secret (idiom); don't breathe a word of it to anyone!

鷸蚌相爭〔鹬--争〕 wat⁶ pong⁵ soeng¹ zang¹ {yù bàng xiāng zhēng}

lit. sandpiper and clam war together (and the fisherman catches both, idiom); fig. neighbors who can't agree lose out to a third party

玩兒不轉〔-儿-转〕 wun⁶ ji⁴ bat¹ zyun³ {wán r bù zhuàn}

1. can't handle it
2. can't find any way (of doing sth)
3. not up to the task

真偽莫辨〔-伪--〕 zan¹ ngai⁶ mok⁶ bin⁶ {zhēn wěi mò biàn}

1. can't judge true or false (idiom); unable to distinguish the genuine from the fake
2. not to know whether to believe (what one reads in the news)

進退不得〔进---〕 zeon³ teoi³ bat¹ dak¹ {jìn tuì bù dé}

1. can't advance or retreat (idiom); no room for maneuver
2. stalled
3. in a dilemma
4. stuck in a difficult position

坐不垂堂 zo⁶ bat¹ seoi⁴ tong⁴ {zuò bù chuí táng}

lit. don't sit under overhanging eaves (idiom); fig. don't stay in danger area

再好不過〔---过〕 zoi³ hou² bat¹ gwo³ {zài hǎo bù guò}

(saying) can't be better

轉眼便忘〔转---〕 zyun² ngaan⁵ bin⁶ mong⁴ {zhuǎn yǎn biàn wàng}

what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't miss (idiom)

一件還一件〔--还--〕 jat¹ gin⁶ waan⁴ jat¹ gin⁶ {yī jiàn hái yí jiàn}

1. a different matter 2. don't mix another incident with this one

有賭未為輸〔-赌-为输〕 jau⁵ dou² mei⁶ wai⁴ syu¹ {yǒu dǔ wèi wéi shū}

as long as you still have a stake left for gambling, you haven't lost yet

唔係我手腳〔-系--脚〕 m⁴ hai⁶ ngo⁵ sau² goek³ {ń xì wǒ shǒu jiǎo}

it's not done by me; I didn't do it

唔使問亞貴〔--问亚贵〕 m⁴ sai² man⁶ aa³ gwai³ {ḿ shǐ wèn yà guì}

Don't need to ask others, it means everyone should know

嬲好定笑好 nau¹ hou² ding⁶ siu³ hou² {niǎo hǎo dìng xiào hǎo}

don't know to cry or to laugh

死雞撐硬腳〔-鸡撑-脚〕 sei² gai¹ caang³ ngaang⁶ goek³ {sǐ jī chēng yìng jiǎo}

(proverb) saying someone is too egotistical or arrogant, and don't admit to make mistakes.

死人尋舊路〔--寻旧-〕 sei² jan⁴ cam⁴ gau⁶ lou⁶ {sǐ rén xún jiù lù}

to describe someone who doesn't know how to be pragmatic / adapt to different situations and adheres to the old methods of doing things all the time

針冇兩頭利〔针-两头-〕 zam¹ mou⁵ loeng⁵ tau⁴ lei⁶ {zhēn mǎo liǎng tóu lì}

you can't have your cake and eat it too; you can't have it both ways

自己身有屎 zi⁶ gei² san¹ jau⁵ si² {zì jǐ shēn yǒu shǐ}

cover up something bad and don't want to disclose it

左右做人難〔----难〕 zo² jau⁶ zou⁶ jan⁴ naan⁴ {zuǒ yòu zuò rén nán}

damned if you do, damned if you don't

不打不相識〔----识〕 bat¹ daa² bat¹ soeng¹ sik¹ {bù dǎ bù xiāng shí}

1. lit. don't fight, won't make friends (idiom); an exchange of blows may lead to friendship
2. no discord, no concord

不以詞害誌〔--词-志〕 bat¹ ji⁵ ci⁴ hoi⁶ zi³ {bù yǐ cí hài zhì}

don't let rhetoric spoil the message (idiom); don't get carried away with flowery speech to the detriment of what you want to say

不以辭害志〔--辞--〕 bat¹ ji⁵ ci⁴ hoi⁶ zi³ {bù yǐ cí hài zhì}

don't let rhetoric spoil the message (idiom); don't get carried away with flowery speech to the detriment of what you want to say

金錢非萬能〔-钱-万-〕 gam¹ cin⁴ fei¹ maan⁶ nang⁴ {jīn qián fēi wàn néng}

1. money is not omnipotent
2. money isn't everything
3. money can't buy you love

何不食肉糜 ho⁴ bat¹ sik⁶ juk⁶ mei⁴ {hé bù shí ròu mí}

1. lit. "Why don't they eat meat?" (said by Emperor Hui of Jin 晉惠帝 when told that his people didn't have enough rice to eat)
2. fig. (of people from higher class etc) to be oblivious to other people's plight

人不可貌相 jan⁴ bat¹ ho² maau⁶ soeng³ {rén bù kě mào xiàng}

1. you can't judge a person by appearance (idiom)
2. you can't judge a book by its cover
3. often in combination 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量

一問三不知〔-问---〕 jat¹ man⁶ saam¹ bat¹ zi¹ {yī wèn sān bù zhī}

1. lit. to reply "don't know" whatever the question (idiom)
2. fig. absolutely no idea of what's going on
3. complete ignorance

欲速則不達〔--则-达〕 juk⁶ cuk¹ zak¹ bat¹ daat⁶ {yù sù zé bù dá}

1. lit. to want sth in haste, but cannot get there (idiom, from Analects); more haste, less speed
2. don't try to run before you can walk

無功不受祿〔无---禄〕 mou⁴ gung¹ bat¹ sau⁶ luk⁶ {wú gōng bù shòu lù}

Don't get a reward if it's not deserved. (idiom)

拿你沒辦法〔--没办-〕 naa⁴ nei⁵ mut⁶ baan⁶ faat³ {ná nǐ méi bàn fǎ}

1. don't know what to do with you
2. can't really say no to you

眼不見為淨〔--见为净〕 ngaan⁵ bat¹ gin³ wai⁴ zing⁶ {yǎn bù jiàn wéi jìng}

1. what remains unseen is deemed to be clean
2. what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over (idiom)

紙包不住火〔纸----〕 zi² baau¹ bat¹ zyu⁶ fo² {zhǐ bāo bù zhù huǒ}

lit. paper can't wrap fire; fig. the truth will out

大雞唔食細米〔-鸡--细-〕 daai⁶ gai¹ m⁴ sik⁶ sai³ mai⁵ {dà jī wú shí xì mǐ}

describes a person (who is in the position of desiring/expecting higher returns) who won't bother or be satisfied with low returns; literally: 'big hen won't eat small rice'; 'the eagle does not catch flies'

姣婆守唔到寡 haau⁴ po⁴ sau² m⁴ dou² gwaa² {jiāo pó shǒu ń dào guǎ}

it means it is hard to change people's personality; literally: a sexually promiscuous woman can't remain a widow

爛泥扶唔上壁〔烂-----〕 laan⁶ nai⁴ fu⁴ m⁴ soeng⁵ bek³ {làn ní fú ḿ shàng bì}

(derogatory slang) (with figurative meaning) when someone is lacking in ability / motivation, he/she will not be successful no matter how others help them; you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

買棺材唔知埞〔买-----〕 maai⁵ gun¹ coi⁴ m⁴ zi¹ ding⁶ {mǎi guān cai ń zhī dī}

(don't know where to buy a coffin); to act recklessly

眼不見為乾淨〔--见为干净〕 ngaan⁵ bat¹ gin³ wai⁴ gon¹ zeng⁶ {yǎn bù jiàn wéi gān jìng}

(slang) things become clean and tidy when people don't see the mess

不打不成相識〔-----识〕 bat¹ daa² bat¹ sing⁴ soeng¹ sik¹ {bù dǎ bù chéng xiāng shí}

don't fight, won't make friends (idiom); an exchange of blows may lead to friendship

不可同日而語〔-----语〕 bat¹ ho² tung⁴ jat⁶ ji⁴ jyu⁵ {bù kě tóng rì ér yǔ}

1. lit. mustn't speak of two things on the same day (idiom); not to be mentioned in the same breath
2. incomparable

家醜不可外傳〔-丑---传〕 gaa¹ cau² bat¹ ho² ngoi⁶ cyun⁴ {jiā chǒu bù kě wài chuán}

lit. family shames must not be spread abroad (idiom); fig. don't wash your dirty linen in public

家醜不可外揚〔-丑---扬〕 gaa¹ cau² bat¹ ho² ngoi⁶ joeng⁴ {jiā chǒu bù kě wài yáng}

1. lit. family shames must not be spread abroad (idiom)
2. fig. don't wash your dirty linen in public

鹼基互補配對〔碱--补-对〕 gaan² gei¹ wu⁶ bou² pui³ deoi³ {jiǎn jī hù bǔ pèi duì}

complementary base pairing e.g. adenine A 腺嘌呤 pairs with thymine T 胸腺嘧啶 in DNA

狗改不了吃屎 gau² goi² bat¹ liu⁵ hek³ si² {gǒu gǎi bù liǎo chī shǐ}

1. lit. a dog can't stop himself from eating shit (idiom)
2. fig. bad habits are hard to change

高不湊低不就〔--凑---〕 gou¹ bat¹ cau³ dai¹ bat¹ zau⁶ {gāo bù còu dī bù jiù}

can't reach the high or accept the low (idiom); not good enough for a high post, but too proud to take a low one

高不成低不就 gou¹ bat¹ sing⁴ dai¹ bat¹ zau⁶ {gāo bù chéng dī bù jiù}

can't reach the high or accept the low (idiom); not good enough for a high post, but too proud to take a low one

吃不了兜著走〔----着-〕 hek³ bat¹ liu⁵ dau¹ zoek⁶ zau² {chī bu liǎo dōu zhe zǒu}

1. lit. if you can't eat it all, you'll have to take it home (idiom)
2. fig. you'll have to take the consequences

好戲還在後頭〔-戏还-后头〕 hou² hei³ waan⁴ zoi⁶ hau⁶ tau⁴ {hǎo xì hái zài hòu tou}

1. the best part of the show is yet to come
2. (with ironic tone) the worst is yet to come
3. you ain't seen nothin' yet

好男不跟女鬥〔-----斗〕 hou² naam⁴ bat¹ gan¹ neoi⁵ dau³ {hǎo nán bù gēn nǚ dòu}

a real man doesn't fight with womenfolk (idiom)

人是鐵飯是鋼〔--铁饭-钢〕 jan⁴ si⁶ tit³ faan⁶ si⁶ gong³ {rén shì tiě fàn shì gāng}

1. one can't function properly on an empty stomach (idiom)
2. an empty sack cannot stand upright

聞名不如見面〔闻---见-〕 man⁴ ming⁴ bat¹ jyu⁴ gin³ min⁶ {wén míng bù rú jiàn miàn}

knowing sb by their reputation can't compare to meeting them in person (idiom)

未可同日而語〔-----语〕 mei⁶ ho² tung⁴ jat⁶ ji⁴ jyu⁵ {wèi kě tóng rì ér yǔ}

1. lit. mustn't speak of two things on the same day (idiom); not to be mentioned in the same breath
2. incomparable

生米做成熟飯〔-----饭〕 saang¹ mai⁵ zou⁶ sing⁴ suk⁶ faan⁶ {shēng mǐ zuò chéng shú fàn}

1. lit. the raw rice is now cooked (idiom); fig. it is done and can't be changed
2. It's too late to change anything now.
3. also written 生米煮成熟飯

殺雞焉用牛刀〔杀鸡----〕 saat³ gai¹ jin¹ jung⁶ ngau⁴ dou¹ {shā jī yān yòng niú dāo}

1. don't use a sledgehammer on a nut
2. aquila non capit muscam

水至清則無魚〔---则无鱼〕 seoi² zi³ cing¹ zak¹ mou⁴ jyu⁴ {shuǐ zhì qīng zé wú yú}

1. Water that is too clear has few fish, and one who is too critical has few friends (idiom); You cannot expect everyone to be squeaky clean.
2. Don't be too picky!