git6 zau6桀紂桀纣
Jyutpinggit6 zau6
Yalegiht jauh
Definition
A tyrannical ruler; a tyrant.
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How it's used
Refers specifically to the legendary kings Jie of Xia and Zhou of Shang, who are the archetypal villains of Chinese history. Using this term elevates the criticism from mere rudeness to a comparison with historical figures known for extreme cruelty and corruption. It is rarely used in casual conversation and carries a heavy, literary weight.
Examples
He acts so tyrannically, he is practically a modern-day tyrant.
Who wants to be a tyrant? Everyone wants things to be more democratic.
Related words
Common phrases
tyrannical and cruel ruler
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply strict or annoying, as it implies a level of moral depravity and abuse of power that is historically significant. It is a very strong accusation that should be reserved for genuine cases of authoritarianism.
Grammar color guide
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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).
