caau2 zok3炒作
Jyutpingcaau2 zok3
Yalecháau jok
Definition
To hype up, promote, or manipulate information deliberately to create a desired effect or sensation.
colloquialcommunicationmoney
How it's used
Originally a term from stock market jargon referring to manipulating share prices, it has evolved into a general term for creating buzz or hype. It carries a strong negative connotation of artificiality or deceit, implying that the attention being generated is manufactured rather than organic. It is frequently used in the context of celebrity gossip, marketing campaigns, or political discourse.
Examples
Is someone deliberately hyping up this news?
They are always hyping things up online just to boost their popularity.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal act of stir-frying food, which is also written as 炒. While 炒作 uses the same character, it is strictly metaphorical and never refers to cooking.
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.
