kaau3 ak1靠呃

Jyutpingkaau3 ak1

Yalekaau āk

Definition

To rely on cheating, deception, or swindling to get by.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This phrase carries a strong negative connotation, implying a lack of integrity and a parasitic way of living. It is frequently used to criticize someone who lacks genuine skills or talent and instead resorts to trickery to get by. Unlike formal terms for fraud, this expression is blunt and often used in heated arguments or when gossiping about someone's character.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日kaau3靠ak1呃jan4人gwo3過wut6活，hou2好mou2冇ban2品。

He always lives by swindling people, it is very low.

nei5你m4唔hou2好kaau3靠aak3呃lai4嚟zaan6賺cin2錢，ci4遲zou2早wui2會ceot1出si6事。

Don't rely on deception to make money, you will get into trouble sooner or later.

Common phrases

kaau3靠ak1呃gwo3過wut6活

to make a living by swindling

kaau3靠ak1呃aak1呃pin3騙

to rely on constant deception and fraud

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 呃人, which is simply the act of lying or deceiving. 靠呃 specifically describes a habitual reliance on these deceptive methods as a primary means of survival or success.