bei3 jan4 tai2 sei2畀人睇死

Jyutpingbei3 jan4 tai2 sei2

Yalebei yàhn tái séi

Definition

To be looked down upon by others, or to be written off as a failure

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

This phrase carries a strong sense of being underestimated or written off by peers, often implying a lack of faith in one's potential. It is frequently used as a motivational challenge, encouraging someone to prove their critics wrong. The structure relies on the passive marker 畀, which is essential for expressing that the action of looking down on someone is being received.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日bei3畀jan4人tai2睇sei2死，zan1真hai6係hou2好caam2慘。

He is always looked down upon by others, it is really miserable.

nei5你m4唔hou2好bei3畀jan4人tai2睇sei2死，jiu3要zing3證ming4明zi6自gei2己dak1得㗎。

Don't let people look down on you, you need to prove that you can do it.

Related words

synonymtai2 m4 hei2睇唔起tái m héi

Common phrases

bei3畀jan4人tai2睇sei2死zo2咗

has been written off by others

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with simply being disliked or hated, but it specifically refers to a lack of confidence or expectation from others regarding one's success. It is not about personal animosity, but rather a judgment of one's capability.