dou6 zaan6杜撰
Jyutpingdou6 zaan6
Yaledouh jaahn
Definition
To fabricate, make up, or invent a story or lie.
writtencommunication
How it's used
This term carries a formal and slightly literary tone, often appearing in news reports or formal writing to describe fabricated stories or false claims. Using it in casual daily conversation can sound overly dramatic or pretentious, as most people would prefer simpler verbs like 吹水 or 亂講.
Examples
This piece of news was just made up by him.
Don't go making up stories to deceive people.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb like 講, but it specifically implies a deliberate, often deceptive act of invention rather than just a casual lie.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
