caang4 gai1倀雞伥鸡
Jyutpingcaang4 gai1
Yalechàahng gāi
Definition
Unruly, unreasonable, aggressive, or domineering; especially of a woman.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Originally referring to a mythical tiger spirit that lures victims, this term now describes someone who is aggressive, loud, or prone to picking fights. It is almost exclusively used to describe women in a derogatory way, implying they are being unnecessarily sharp or difficult. Using it to describe a man is rare and often carries a different nuance of being petty or annoying.
Examples
She is usually very cranky and always scolding people.
Don't be so unreasonable, let's talk nicely.
Related words
Common phrases
a cranky or shrewish woman
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply angry or having a bad day. It specifically implies a habitual, abrasive personality trait rather than a temporary emotional state.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
