kit3 lei6黠吏
Jyutpingkit3 lei6
Yalekit leih
Definition
Crafty and cunning officials.
writtenpeoplework
How it's used
This term is highly formal and carries a strong negative connotation, typically found in historical contexts or literary critiques of corrupt bureaucracy. It is rarely used in modern casual conversation, where people would prefer terms like 貪官 or 奸官 to describe corrupt or cunning officials. Using it in everyday speech will sound overly dramatic or archaic.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
These crafty officials are always thinking of ways to cheat money.
Why do you have to deal with those crafty officials?
Related words
Common phrases
corrupt and perverting the law
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common term, but it is essentially a literary word. Avoid using it to describe modern office workers or colleagues, as it specifically refers to government officials or those in power.
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.
