jiu2 jin4 waak6 zung3妖言惑眾妖言惑众
Jyutpingjiu2 jin4 waak6 zung3
Yaleyíu yìhn waahk jung
Definition
To spread rumors or lies in order to mislead and deceive the public.
writtencommunicationpeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong moral judgment, implying that the speaker is not just wrong, but actively malicious and manipulative. It is frequently used in political or social contexts to describe someone who intentionally stirs up public panic or confusion for personal gain. Unlike simply saying someone is lying, this term suggests a calculated effort to destabilize a group or community.
Examples
He is always spreading lies online to mislead people; please do not believe him.
Related words
Common phrases
the act of spreading malicious misinformation
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a casual way to say someone is lying. Because it is a formal idiom, using it in a casual conversation about a friend telling a small white lie will sound overly dramatic or inappropriately aggressive.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
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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.
