dai1 gu2低估
Jyutpingdai1 gu2
Yaledāi gú
Definition
To underestimate or underrate.
neutraldescriptionswork
How it's used
Used primarily in formal or semi-formal contexts to describe a miscalculation of value, difficulty, or potential. While it is understood in spoken Cantonese, speakers often use more descriptive phrases like 睇小 to convey the same sentiment in casual conversation.
Examples
You really shouldn't underestimate his strength.
Related words
Common phrases
underestimate the risk
underestimate the difficulty
Common mistake
Learners often use 低估 interchangeably with 睇小, but 睇小 carries a stronger sense of looking down on someone or being dismissive, whereas 低估 is more about a neutral, analytical misjudgment of a situation or outcome.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
