gong2 haa5 siu3講吓笑讲吓笑
Jyutpinggong2 haa5 siu3
Yalegóng háh siu
Definition
To crack a joke, kid around, or say something in jest.
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Adding the reduplication marker 吓 softens the verb 講, turning a direct action into a casual, lighthearted activity. It implies that the speaker is not being serious or is trying to diffuse tension. It is frequently paired with the particle 啫 to emphasize that the action is trivial or meant in good fun.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a formal joke or a planned comedy routine, as it specifically refers to the act of casual bantering or teasing. It is not a noun, so do not try to use it as a direct object for verbs like tell.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
