hoi6 kwan4 zi1 maa5害群之馬害群之马
Jyutpinghoi6 kwan4 zi1 maa5
Yalehoih kwàhn jī máh
Definition
Black sheep; a member who brings disgrace to a group.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of moral judgment and collective shame, implying that the individual's actions are actively damaging the reputation or success of the entire group. It is far more severe than simply calling someone a troublemaker, as it suggests the person is a liability that needs to be removed to protect the integrity of the whole.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is simply the black sheep in the company, always causing trouble.
Why do you guys keep this black sheep in the team?
Related words
Common phrases
remove the black sheep
Common mistake
Often mistakenly used to describe someone who is just lazy or incompetent, but the term specifically requires that the person's behavior negatively impacts the group's standing or results.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
