duk1 bui3 zek3督背脊
Jyutpingduk1 bui3 zek3
Yaledūk bui jek
Definition
To backstab, betray, or badmouth someone behind their back.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Literally meaning to poke someone's spine, this phrase carries a strong sense of betrayal by someone you might have trusted. It is almost exclusively used in professional or social settings to describe someone who reports negative information about a peer to an authority figure behind their back. The imagery of poking the spine evokes a sudden, sharp, and sneaky attack that catches the victim off guard.
Examples
He is always backstabbing in front of the boss, it is really annoying.
Related words
Common phrases
to be backstabbed by someone
likes to backstab
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a simple disagreement or a public argument. It specifically requires the element of secrecy and the intent to cause trouble for the victim by involving a third party in power.
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.
