hon3 siu2看小
Jyutpinghon3 siu2
Yalehon síu
Definition
To look down on, underestimate, or belittle someone.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
The character 睇 is almost always used instead of 看 in spoken Cantonese to mean to look or to watch. Using 看小 sounds unnatural or overly formal to a native speaker. It is frequently used in the imperative form to warn someone against making assumptions about another person's abilities.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use the Mandarin-influenced 看小, but the correct spoken form is 睇小. Using 看 will be understood but marks you as a non-native speaker.
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.
