maai6 lung6賣弄卖弄
Jyutpingmaai6 lung6
Yalemaaih luhng
Definition
To show off, parade, or make a display of one's strengths or abilities.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a strong negative connotation, implying that the person is being insincere or annoying by flaunting their skills or knowledge. It is almost exclusively used to criticize someone for being pretentious or overly eager for attention. Unlike neutral ways to say someone is talented, this word specifically targets the act of performing for an audience to gain validation.
Examples
He is always showing off how much he knows.
Stop showing off your little tricks here.
Related words
Common phrases
to show off one's wit
to show off one's literary talent
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe someone who is simply confident or genuinely sharing their expertise. It is strictly for when the display feels forced or arrogant.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
