gwaa2 lim4 sin1 ci2寡廉鮮恥寡廉鲜耻

Jyutpinggwaa2 lim4 sin1 ci2

Yalegwá lìhm sīn chí

Definition

Shameless; having no sense of honor or shame.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of moral condemnation and is typically reserved for criticizing someone's character or actions in a formal or serious context. While it is a four-character idiom, it is still used in spoken Cantonese to express deep disapproval or disgust. It implies not just a lack of shame, but a complete absence of moral integrity or conscience.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做maai4埋di1啲gam3咁ge3嘅si6事，zan1真hai6係gwaa2寡lim4廉sin1鮮ci2恥。

He did such things, he is truly shameless.

nei5你dim2點ho2可ji5以gam3咁gwaa2寡lim4廉sin1鮮ci2恥aa4呀？

How can you be so shameless?

Common phrases

hang4行wai4為gwaa2寡lim4廉sin1鮮ci2恥

shameless behavior

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a casual insult, but it is actually quite heavy and aggressive. Using it in a lighthearted or joking manner can sound unnatural or overly dramatic.