m4 cau1 m4 coi2唔瞅唔睬
Jyutpingm4 cau1 m4 coi2
Yalem̀h chāu m̀h chói
Definition
To deliberately ignore someone or treat them with a cold shoulder.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This idiom specifically describes a deliberate, cold, and sustained refusal to acknowledge someone, often as a form of silent protest or social punishment. It carries a stronger sense of active coldness than simply being busy or distracted. It is frequently used to describe the aftermath of a conflict or a breakdown in a relationship.
Examples
I greeted him, but he completely ignored me.
Related words
Common phrases
to keep ignoring someone for a long time
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for being shy or quiet. It is specifically about a social attitude of ignoring someone, so it should not be used to describe someone who is naturally introverted or just happens to be silent.
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.
