gong2 siu3講笑讲笑
Jyutpinggong2 siu3
Yalegóng siu
Definition
To joke, kid around, or say things not meant to be taken seriously.
- to make a joke; to say things to make people laugh
- to kid around; to be joking or not serious about what one says
colloquialcommunicationdaily actions
How it's used
Often used to clarify that a previous statement was not meant to be taken literally, similar to saying "just kidding." It frequently appears with the particle 咋 to emphasize that the action was merely for amusement. When someone says 講笑咩, they are expressing disbelief or frustration, implying that the situation is too serious for jokes.
Examples
Stop joking around all the time, can you be a bit more serious?
He was just joking, please don't take it to heart.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake 講笑 for a noun meaning "a joke." While it can function as a verb phrase, if you want to refer to a specific joke, you should use 笑話 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
