cau2 geng2醜頸丑颈
Jyutpingcau2 geng2
Yalecháu géng
Definition
Bad-tempered or having a very bad temper.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Describes someone who is habitually grumpy, irritable, or difficult to deal with, rather than just having a momentary outburst. It carries a sense of stubbornness and social unpleasantness, often implying that the person makes others uncomfortable by their mood. It is frequently used to describe children or people who are being unreasonable in a social setting.
Examples
He is very bad-tempered and loses his temper all the time.
Why are you being so bad-tempered? If you have something to say, just say it nicely.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of neck, as the term is strictly idiomatic. It is not used to describe physical ugliness or facial features, but exclusively refers to temperament.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
