What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 無 (mou5) meaning 'without' and 禮 (lai5) meaning 'manners' or 'etiquette'.
Which one should you use?
In everyday spoken Cantonese, people are much more likely to use the colloquial phrase 冇禮貌 (mou5 lai5 mou5) instead of the more formal 無禮 (mou5 lai5). For more formal contexts, you can use 不禮貌 to mean 'impolite' or 粗魯 to mean 'rough'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal writing or speech, 不禮貌 (impolite) and 粗魯 (rough) are appropriate alternatives. In extremely informal or aggressive situations, the phrase 食屎啦你 is used as a way to say 'eat sh*t'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the term 鬼佬 is used to refer to foreigners in a derogatory manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone is 'very rude', you can place the adverb 好 (hou2) before the adjective, resulting in 好無禮.
How do you pronounce it?
mou5 lai5
Did you know?
- If you want to criticize someone's rudeness in a way that hits home, you might mention their 家教 (gaa1 gaau3), which literally means 'family education'. This implies that their bad manners are a direct reflection of how their parents raised them.
- In Cantonese, the word 禮 (lai5) for 'manners' also means 'gift'. This links the act of giving a present directly to the practice of social etiquette.
- The word 禮 (lai5) refers to the formal 'rituals' of Confucianism. In this context, 'manners' are viewed as a moral duty rather than just social grace.
Examples in context
- 對長輩無禮係唔啱嘅。deoi3 zoeng2 bei2 mou4 lei5 hai6 m4 ngaam1 ge3.It is wrong to be rude to elders.
- 我唔想做個無禮嘅人。ngo5 m4 soeng2 zou6 go3 mou4 lei5 ge3 jan4.I don't want to be a rude person.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a waiter's behavior at a restaurant.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung個侍應態度好無禮。go3 si6 jing3 taai3 dou6 hou2 mou4 lei5.The waiter's attitude is very rude.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit係，佢完全冇禮貌。hai6, keoi5 jyun4 cyun4 mou5 lei5 maau6.Yes, he has no manners at all.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我打算去投訴佢。ngo5 da2 luan6 heoi3 tau4 so2 keoi5.I plan to go complain about him.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我都覺得應該咁做。ngo5 dou1 gok3 dak1 jing1 goi1 gam2 zou6.I also think that's what should be done.
