haau6 pan4效顰效颦
Jyutpinghaau6 pan4
Yalehaauh pàhn
Definition
To copy others blindly; to make a crude and awkward imitation.
writtendescriptionsother
How it's used
Originating from the classical idiom 東施效顰, this term carries a strong sense of ridicule for someone who mimics another's behavior without understanding the underlying context or their own limitations. It is significantly more formal and literary than common colloquial terms for copying, making it sound quite sharp or intellectual when used in conversation. It is almost exclusively used to describe a negative or failed attempt at imitation.
Examples
He always blindly copies others in business, and ended up losing all his money.
Don't just blindly copy others, it doesn't suit your style at all.
Related words
Common phrases
a clumsy imitation
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral way to say copy, but it is inherently derogatory and implies that the imitation is clumsy or ridiculous. Avoid using it to describe positive role modeling or learning from others.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
