laan2 lek1懶叻懒叻
Jyutpinglaan2 lek1
Yaleláan lēk
Definition
To pretend to be smart or capable; to show off and overestimate one's own abilities.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of annoyance and is used to criticize someone who is overstepping their actual abilities. It implies that the person is not just confident, but actively trying to deceive others into thinking they are smarter or more skilled than they truly are. It is almost exclusively used in a negative, confrontational context.
Examples
He is always showing off, making everyone feel so awkward.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 叻, which is a positive compliment for being smart or capable. Adding 懶 before it completely flips the meaning to a critique of someone's insincere or arrogant behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
