jam1 caai1 daai6 san4欽差大臣钦差大臣
Jyutpingjam1 caai1 daai6 san4
Yaleyām chāai daaih sàhn
Definition
Imperial envoy; an official post in imperial China.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Originally referring to a high ranking official sent by the emperor to handle special tasks, this term is now almost exclusively used in a sarcastic or humorous way. It describes someone who arrives with an air of self importance to supervise or criticize others, even though they lack the actual authority to do so. It is a common way to mock a colleague or peer who is being overly officious.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He acts like an imperial envoy, always bossing people around.
Related words
Common phrases
to act like an imperial envoy
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe a modern diplomat or a legitimate government representative, as it will sound like you are mocking their authority or calling them a meddler.
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.
