goek3 sik1腳色脚色

Jyutpinggoek3 sik1

Yalegeuk sīk

Definition

A role or character in a play or movie; a person, fellow, or chap.

role; character (in a play, movie, etc.)
fellow; chap; character (describing a person)

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Originally derived from the terminology of Chinese opera, this term has evolved to describe both a theatrical role and a person in a social context. When referring to a person, it often carries a slightly cynical or detached tone, implying the individual is just another player in a situation. It is distinct from 角色, which is the standard term for a fictional character in a story.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢喺hai2呢le1套tou3戲hei3入jap6面min6做zou6咩me1腳goek3色sik1呀？

What role does he play in this movie?

go2嗰go3個goek3腳sik1色seng4成jat6日dou1都san4神san4神bei3祕bei3祕gam3咁。

That fellow is always acting all mysterious.

Common phrases

baan6扮jin2演goek3腳sik1色

to play a role

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 角色. While 角色 is the neutral, standard term for a character in a script or a person's social function, 腳色 is more traditional and can sometimes sound slightly old-fashioned or specifically theatrical depending on the context.