baa1 bai3巴閉巴闭
Jyutpingbaa1 bai3
Yalebā bai
Definition
Succeeding or having great achievements, often used sarcastically; arrogant or boastful.
- having made quite an achievement, often used sarcastically
- arrogant, cocky, or boastful; showing off
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of irony or mockery when used to describe someone who is being arrogant or full of themselves. While it can literally mean someone is impressive or high-achieving, it is far more frequently employed to deflate someone's ego. It often implies that the person thinks they are special, but the speaker disagrees.
Examples
He is always showing off, acting like he is so important.
Related words
Common phrases
very cocky or a big deal
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone you genuinely admire, as it will almost certainly be interpreted as sarcasm or a backhanded compliment. It is not a neutral way to say someone is successful or talented.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
