bat1 waai4 hou2 ji3不懷好意不怀好意
Jyutpingbat1 waai4 hou2 ji3
Yalebāt wàaih hóu yi
Definition
To have bad intentions or malicious thoughts.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that is often used in a slightly dramatic or suspicious tone when describing someone's hidden agenda. While it is a four character idiom, it fits perfectly into spoken Cantonese sentences when you want to emphasize that someone's friendliness is merely a facade. It is frequently paired with verbs like 睇落 or 覺得 to express personal suspicion.
Examples
He is always smiling at you, it looks like he has bad intentions.
You are treating me to dinner for no reason, do you have bad intentions?
Related words
Common phrases
looks like they have bad intentions
seems to have malicious intentions
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective, but it functions as a verb phrase describing an action or state of mind. Avoid using it to describe a person directly as an adjective, such as saying someone is an不懷好意 person; instead, use it to describe their behavior or intentions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
