giu1驕骄
Jyutpinggiu1
Yalegīu
Definition
Arrogant, proud, or full of oneself.
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How it's used
While 驕 is a common morpheme in written Chinese, using it as a standalone adjective in spoken Cantonese is quite literary or formal. Most speakers prefer using 驕傲 or 囂張 when describing someone who is full of themselves. It carries a slightly more sophisticated or critical tone compared to common slang terms for arrogance.
Examples
He is so full of himself, always thinking he is the smartest.
Don't be so arrogant; you need to be more humble.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake 驕 for a direct, everyday synonym of 囂張, but it is less common in casual speech. Using it too frequently in informal settings can make you sound like you are reading from a book rather than speaking naturally.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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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.
