hou2 ji3 si3好意思
Jyutpinghou2 ji3 si3
Yalehóu yi si
Definition
To have the gall, cheek, or nerve to do something.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This expression is almost exclusively used in rhetorical questions to express indignation or disbelief at someone's lack of shame. It functions as a sharp social critique, implying that the person's actions violate basic social expectations or common sense. While it shares characters with 唔好意思, it carries a much more aggressive and accusatory tone.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the polite apology 唔好意思. Using 好意思 in a statement rather than a rhetorical question can sound sarcastic or confrontational, so it is rarely used to describe one's own feelings in a neutral way.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
