gei1 siu3譏笑讥笑
Jyutpinggei1 siu3
Yalegēi siu
Definition
To sneer at, mock, or ridicule someone to show disapproval or disrespect.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of malice and superiority, distinguishing it from a simple laugh or joke. It implies a deliberate attempt to belittle someone by highlighting their flaws or mistakes in a mocking tone. While it can be used in formal writing, it is equally effective in spoken Cantonese to describe someone's toxic behavior.
Examples
He always sneers at people behind their backs, it is very rude.
Why do you have to sneer at his failure?
Related words
Common phrases
to mock with cold, sarcastic remarks
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 笑話, which refers to a joke or something funny. 譏笑 is strictly negative and implies a hostile attitude, whereas 笑話 is usually neutral or meant to be entertaining.
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.
