hei1 gwan1 mong5 soeng6欺君罔上

Jyutpinghei1 gwan1 mong5 soeng6

Yalehēi gwān móhng seuhng

Definition

To deceive one's ruler or superiors.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a heavy, formal tone rooted in imperial history and is almost exclusively used in historical dramas or when someone is being overly dramatic about a betrayal. It implies a severe breach of trust against a superior or authority figure, often used hyperbolically in modern settings to mock someone for lying to a boss or leader. Because it describes a specific feudal crime, it sounds extremely out of place in casual, everyday conversation.

Examples

keoi5佢gam3咁joeng2樣zou6做gaan2簡zik6直hai6係hei1欺gwan1君soeng6上aa4呀。

What he is doing is simply deceiving the ruler.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知hei1欺gwan1君soeng6上hai6係sei2死zeoi6罪lai2嚟㗎？

Do you know that deceiving the ruler is a capital offense?

Common phrases

faan6犯haa5下hei1欺gwan1君soeng6上zi1之zeoi6罪

to commit the crime of deceiving the ruler

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common way to say someone is lying, but it is far too formal and archaic for standard speech. Using it in a normal office or social context will sound like you are quoting a period drama or being sarcastically theatrical.