laan5 lek1讕叻谰叻
Jyutpinglaan5 lek1
Yaleláahn lēk
Definition
To pretend to be smart or competent, or to show off.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term carries a strong negative connotation, implying that the person is acting smarter or more capable than they actually are. It is often used to criticize someone who is being arrogant or pretentious in a way that irritates others. Unlike simply being confident, this word specifically targets the performative aspect of someone trying to impress others with fake knowledge or skill.
Examples
He is always showing off, it is really annoying.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 叻, which is a positive way to say someone is smart or capable. Adding 讕 turns the meaning into a negative critique of someone's attitude rather than a comment on their actual intelligence.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
