hung1 sam1 lou5 gun1空心老倌
Jyutpinghung1 sam1 lou5 gun1
Yalehūng sām lóuh gūn
Definition
An empty shell; a person who pretends to have ability, wealth, or status but lacks any real substance.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Originating from the world of Cantonese opera, this term describes someone who looks the part but lacks the actual skill or substance to perform. It carries a strong sense of mockery, implying that the person is merely putting on a performance to deceive others about their worth or knowledge. It is frequently used to expose someone who talks big but fails to deliver results.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is basically a person of no substance, nothing he says is true.
Related words
Common phrases
a total fraud
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being a liar, as it specifically highlights the contrast between a flashy, impressive appearance and a hollow, incompetent reality.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
