faan2 fung3反諷反讽

Jyutpingfaan2 fung3

Yalefáan fung

名詞Rare

Definition

Irony or sarcasm; a rhetorical device of using words to express the opposite of their literal meaning.

neutralcommunicationdescriptions

How it's used

Refers specifically to the rhetorical device of saying the opposite of what is meant to mock or convey contempt. While it is a formal term often used in literary or critical analysis, it is increasingly used in daily conversation to describe someone's biting or cynical tone. It carries a sharper, more intellectual weight than simply being rude or mean.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講go2嗰geoi3句je5嘢cung1充mun5滿faan2反fung3諷，nei5你teng1聽m4唔ceot1出me1咩？

What he said was full of sarcasm, can't you tell?

le1呢zung3種faan2反fung3諷ge3嘅jyu5語hei3氣，zan1真hai6係hou2好naan4難sau6受。

This sarcastic tone is really hard to take.

Common phrases

cung1充mun5滿faan2反fung3諷

full of sarcasm

faan2反fung3諷jyu5語hei3氣

sarcastic tone

Common mistake

Learners often confuse it with 挖苦, which is more about making cutting, personal remarks to belittle someone. Use 反諷 when describing the technique of irony or sarcasm, but use 挖苦 when describing the act of being mean-spirited or mocking a person directly.