gaa1 jim4 gaa1 cou3加鹽加醋加盐加醋
Jyutpinggaa1 jim4 gaa1 cou3
Yalegā yìhm gā chou
Definition
To exaggerate or embellish a story by adding non-existent details to make it more juicy.
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
This idiom is used exclusively to describe someone who intentionally distorts the truth to make a story more dramatic or sensational. It implies a sense of dishonesty or gossip, often used when warning others not to believe everything they hear. It is a very common way to call out someone for being a drama queen or a storyteller.
Examples
Don't exaggerate when you speak, just tell the facts.
He always embellishes his stories, just take what he says with a grain of salt.
Related words
Common phrases
likes to exaggerate
don't embellish the story
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with simply telling a lie, but it specifically refers to taking an existing kernel of truth and adding extra details to spice it up. It is not used for outright fabrication where the entire story is invented from scratch.
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.
