gin3 gou1 baai3 gin3 dai1 caai2見高拜見低踩见高拜见低踩

Jyutpinggin3 gou1 baai3 gin3 dai1 caai2

Yalegin gōu baai gin dāi cháai

語句

Definition

To flatter those of higher status and bully, look down on, or abuse those of lower status.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong negative moral judgment and is used to criticize someone for being opportunistic and hypocritical. It describes a social climber who lacks integrity, specifically someone who changes their attitude instantly depending on who they are talking to. It is a very common way to describe office politics or toxic social behavior in Hong Kong.

Examples

keoi5佢fan6份jan4人gin3見gou1高baai3拜gin3見dai1低caai2踩，zan1真hai6係hou2好hat1乞jan4人zang1憎。

He is such a snob, he is really annoying.

nei5你zou6做me1咩gin3見gou1高baai3拜gin3見dai1低caai2踩aa4呀？deoi3對jan4人hou2好di1啲laa1啦。

Why are you treating people differently based on their status? Be nicer to others.

Common phrases

sing3性gaak3格gin3見gou1高baai3拜gin3見dai1低caai2踩

to have a snobbish personality

Common mistake

Do not use this as a verb phrase in a formal context, as it is strictly a descriptive idiom for someone's character. It is not meant to be used as a literal instruction on how to behave, but rather as a sharp critique of someone's personality.