baan6 saai3 haai5扮晒蟹
Jyutpingbaan6 saai3 haai5
Yalebaahn saai háaih
Definition
To act pretentious or arrogant, or to play dumb.
- slangto pretend to be powerful, competent, or influential; to put on airs
- slangto play dumb; to pretend to be ignorant
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
Originating from the full phrase 小蟹柳，扮晒蟹, this expression captures the image of someone puffing themselves up to look bigger than they are. It is used to criticize people who act arrogant or authoritative without having the actual status or ability to back it up. The tone is dismissive and mocking, often used when someone is trying to show off or act like a boss.
Examples
He is always acting all high and mighty, thinking he is so smart.
Stop acting so pretentious, everyone knows what is really going on.
Related words
Common phrases
acting all pretentious
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being confident or capable. It specifically implies that the person is faking their importance or acting pretentious, so using it for someone who is genuinely skilled or humble will cause offense.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
