cung1 paau3 teng5充炮艇
Jyutpingcung1 paau3 teng5
Yalechūng paau téhng
Definition
To pose as a big shot, put on a front, or pretend to be wealthy or influential.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
Originating from the historical context of small, poorly equipped boats masquerading as powerful gunboats, this phrase carries a strong sense of mockery towards someone who is bluffing. It specifically targets those who project an image of wealth, status, or knowledge that they do not possess. It is almost exclusively used to criticize someone's behavior behind their back or during a heated confrontation.
Examples
He is always putting on a front, but he actually has no money at all.
Related words
Common phrases
likes to put on a front
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply lying about a specific fact, as it specifically refers to the act of inflating one's social status or competence to impress others.
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.
