laan2讕谰
Jyutpinglaan2
Yaleláan
Definition
To pretend to be; to affect or pretentiously consider oneself as.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This word carries a strong sense of mockery or disdain, implying that the person's behavior is insincere or unearned. It is almost exclusively used to criticize someone for putting on an act to appear more capable, knowledgeable, or important than they really are. It functions as a verb that describes the act of posturing or feigning superiority.
Examples
He is always acting like an expert.
Don't act so smart, you don't actually know.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 扮, which is a neutral or general term for pretending. 讕 specifically carries a negative, judgmental tone regarding the person's arrogance or pretentiousness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
