baan6 zyu1 hek3 lou5 fu2扮豬吃老虎扮猪吃老虎

Jyutpingbaan6 zyu1 hek3 lou5 fu2

Yalebaahn jyū hek lóuh fú

Definition

To play dumb to catch a foe off guard; a wolf in sheep's clothing.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Describes a strategic act of feigning ignorance or weakness to lower an opponent's guard. It implies a calculated move rather than just being humble or shy. The phrase is often used when someone unexpectedly reveals a high level of skill or intelligence during a critical situation.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日baan6扮zyu1豬hek3吃lou5老fu2虎，kei4其sat6實hou2好lek1叻㗎。

He always plays the fool, but he is actually very capable.

nei5你mai1咪tai2睇keoi5佢hou2好ci5似hou2好ceon2蠢gam3咁，keoi5佢hai6係baan6扮zyu1豬hek3吃lou5老fu2虎zaa5咋。

Don't think he looks stupid, he is just playing the fool to hide his true ability.

Common phrases

baan6扮zyu1豬hek3吃lou5老fu2虎ge3嘅jan4人

a person who plays the fool to gain an advantage

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is genuinely humble or modest. It specifically carries a connotation of deception or tactical manipulation, so it can sound slightly negative or suspicious depending on the context.