aak1 gwai2呃鬼

Jyutpingaak1 gwai2

Yaleāak gwái

Definition

To lie, deceive, or try to fool someone.

colloquialcommunicationslang

How it's used

This expression is used to describe someone who is being dishonest or trying to deceive others with unbelievable stories. It carries a sense of exasperation or mockery, implying that the lie is so transparent that even a ghost would not be fooled by it. It is strictly for informal, spoken contexts and should be avoided in professional or serious settings.

Examples

nei5你mai1咪aak1呃gwai2鬼laa1啦，ngo5我jat1一zou2早zi1知zan1真soeng3相。

Don't lie to me, I knew the truth long ago.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日aak1呃gwai2鬼，bin1邊jau5有jan4人seon3信keoi5佢aa4呀？

He is always lying, who would believe him?

Common phrases

ngaak1呃gwai2鬼sik6食dau6豆fu6腐

to tell a blatant, ridiculous lie

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal reference to ghosts, but it is purely idiomatic. Do not use it to describe a serious or legal deception, as it sounds too casual and dismissive.