baak6 gap3 ngaan5白鴿眼白鸽眼

Jyutpingbaak6 gap3 ngaan5

Yalebaahk gap ngáahn

Definition

Snobbish, supercilious, or contemptuous of others.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Pigeons have eyes that shift rapidly and often seem to look down on things, which is the origin of this vivid metaphor for someone who judges others based on their social status or wealth. It carries a strong sense of moral disapproval and is used to call out someone for being shallow or elitist. You will often hear it used when someone changes their attitude towards a person after finding out they have money or power.

Examples

go2嗰go3個jan4人hou2好baak6白gaap3鴿ngaan5眼，gin3見dou2到kung4窮jan4人zau6就m4唔lei5理。

That person is so snobbish, they ignore poor people when they see them.

nei5你m4唔hou2好gam3咁baak6白gaap3鴿ngaan5眼，deoi3對jan4人jiu3要haak3客hei3氣di1啲。

Don't be so snobbish, you should be polite to people.

Common phrases

hou2好baak6白gaap3鴿ngaan5眼

very snobbish

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being picky or having high standards, as it specifically refers to social snobbery and looking down on those perceived as inferior. It is a harsh label, so avoid using it unless you intend to be quite critical of the person's character.