ji4 zi2 hei3 sai2頤指氣使颐指气使
Jyutpingji4 zi2 hei3 sai2
Yaleyìh jí hei sái
Definition
To boss others around arrogantly; to command people with an overbearing, haughty attitude.
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How it's used
This idiom describes a specific type of condescending behavior where someone uses their status or power to treat others like servants. It carries a strong negative connotation and is typically used to criticize someone who lacks respect for those around them. Unlike simply being demanding, it emphasizes the arrogant, dismissive attitude of the person in charge.
Examples
He is always bossing people around at the office, it is so annoying.
Related words
Common phrases
to have an arrogant and bossy attitude
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard verb phrase, but it is a formal idiom that sounds quite intense in casual conversation. Using it to describe a boss who is merely strict or demanding might be an overstatement; it is reserved for truly haughty or demeaning behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
