maai6 gwok3賣國卖国
Jyutpingmaai6 gwok3
Yalemaaih gwok
Definition
To betray one's country for personal gain.
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How it's used
Carries an extremely strong and inflammatory tone, usually reserved for political discourse or historical condemnation. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless one is making a hyperbolic accusation against a public figure. Using this term implies a deep sense of moral betrayal rather than just a simple disagreement with government policy.
Examples
He actually betrayed his country for money, that is outrageous.
Who would want to be a traitor and be scolded for a lifetime?
Related words
Common phrases
traitor
to betray one's country for personal glory
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply disagreeing with the government or criticizing national policies. Using this term is a severe personal attack that suggests treason, so it is highly offensive and can easily escalate a conflict.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
