ceot1 wai2出位
Jyutpingceot1 wai2
Yalechēut wái
Definition
To act in an unconventional, attention-seeking, or excessive manner to stand out.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is trying too hard to be noticed or is acting in a way that disrupts social norms. While it can describe someone who is genuinely innovative or bold, it is more frequently used to criticize someone for being attention-seeking or over the top.
Examples
He always dresses so outrageously, he really steals the spotlight.
Do you really need to say things in such a bizarre way?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the English phrase "out of place," which usually relates to feeling uncomfortable or not belonging; 出位 specifically focuses on the act of drawing attention to oneself through unconventional behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
