aak1 san4 pin3 gwai2呃神騙鬼呃神骗鬼
Jyutpingaak1 san4 pin3 gwai2
Yaleāak sàhn pin gwái
Definition
To deceive, cheat, or swindle others; to lie to everyone, including gods and ghosts.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of moral condemnation, implying that the person is not just telling a small lie but is fundamentally dishonest or manipulative. It is often used to describe someone who uses elaborate or superstitious-sounding excuses to cheat others out of money or trust. The imagery suggests a person who would even lie to deities and spirits, highlighting the severity of their deceit.
Examples
He is always swindling people, you really shouldn't trust him.
Related words
Common phrases
a swindler
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of religious fraud, but it is used broadly for any kind of deceptive or untrustworthy behavior. It is not a formal term and should be avoided in professional or polite settings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
