baan6 hou2 jan4扮好人
Jyutpingbaan6 hou2 jan4
Yalebaahn hóu yàhn
Definition
To pretend to be a good person; to act nice or play the good guy.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This phrase carries a strong sense of insincerity and is almost exclusively used to criticize someone for being hypocritical. It implies that the person is performing kindness to manipulate others or to hide their true, less noble intentions. You will rarely hear this used in a neutral or positive context.
Examples
He is always pretending to be a good person in front of the boss.
Related words
Common phrases
always pretending to be a good person
don't pretend to be a good person
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being a good person, as the phrase inherently suggests a fake performance. It is not a way to describe someone who is genuinely kind.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
