caap3 zeoi2插嘴
Jyutpingcaap3 zeoi2
Yalechaap jéui
Definition
To interrupt a conversation or chime in rudely.
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
Interjecting into a conversation is viewed as quite rude in Hong Kong culture, so this term carries a strong negative connotation. It is almost exclusively used to criticize someone for being impatient or lacking social awareness. You will rarely hear it used to describe a polite or welcome contribution to a discussion.
Examples
People are talking, don't interrupt.
He always likes to chime in, it's so annoying.
Related words
Common phrases
not allowed to interrupt
interrupting recklessly
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 講嘢, which is just talking. Using 插嘴 implies that the speaker is cutting someone off mid-sentence, which is why it is considered impolite.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
