hai4 lok6奚落
Jyutpinghai4 lok6
Yalehàih lohk
Definition
To mock, taunt, or scoff at someone to hurt their self-esteem.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Carries a formal or written tone despite being used in speech to describe someone acting in a mean or belittling way. It implies a calculated effort to undermine someone's confidence or dignity rather than just a casual insult. Often used in contexts where the speaker wants to emphasize the malicious intent behind the mockery.
Examples
He always likes to taunt others, it is so annoying.
Why did you have to taunt him in front of everyone?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word for lighthearted teasing or friendly banter, as it specifically denotes hurtful or malicious intent. It is not a casual term for joking around.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
