ceot1 naa5 zaa2出拿渣
Jyutpingceot1 naa5 zaa2
Yalechēut náh já
Definition
To play dirty tricks; to resort to underhanded or unfair means.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
The term carries a strong sense of moral disapproval, implying that the actions taken are not just competitive but fundamentally unfair or underhanded. It is frequently used in contexts involving sports, office politics, or interpersonal conflicts where someone has crossed a line of decency. The word 拿渣 itself originates from a term for dirt or filth, which highlights the perceived lack of integrity in the person's behavior.
Examples
He is always playing dirty tricks to prank people, it is so annoying.
Do you really need to use dirty tactics to win this competition?
Related words
Common phrases
to use a dirty trick
to resort to underhanded tactics
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being competitive or skilled. It specifically refers to actions that violate the rules or social norms of fair play, rather than just being clever or strategic.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
