jam1 joeng4 gwaai3 hei3陰陽怪氣阴阳怪气
Definition
Sarcastic and eccentric; describing a weird, quirky, or passive-aggressive attitude or tone of voice.
How it's used
This expression describes a specific type of behavior where someone avoids direct communication, opting instead for a tone that feels insincere, mocking, or passive aggressive. It is often used when a person is clearly unhappy or annoyed but refuses to state their grievances openly, choosing to hint at them through strange intonation or backhanded comments. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation and is typically used to confront someone about their unpleasant demeanor.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for simply meaning 'weird' or 'eccentric'. However, it specifically implies a social or interpersonal tension, so it should not be used to describe someone who is just quirky or has an unusual hobby.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
