fung3 ci3諷刺讽刺
Jyutpingfung3 ci3
Yalefung chi
Definition
To satirize, mock, or ridicule social ills and mistakes using sarcasm, irony, or exaggeration.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
Often used to describe someone who uses biting, indirect language to point out flaws or hypocrisy. Unlike simply insulting someone, this implies a level of intellectual superiority or a sharp wit behind the mockery. It is common to hear it used with the particle 緊 to describe the ongoing act of being sarcastic.
Examples
He loves mocking people when he speaks; it's so annoying.
Related words
Common phrases
to satirize current social issues
to mock and ridicule with cold sarcasm
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 嘲笑, which is a more direct and blunt form of laughing at someone. 諷刺 carries a more sophisticated or literary nuance, often involving irony or backhanded compliments, whereas 嘲笑 is purely about ridiculing someone's misfortune or appearance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
