mei4媚
Jyutpingmei4
Yalemèih
Definition
Flatter, charm, or act in a sycophantic manner.
- to flatter; to curry favor
- charming; beautiful; coquettish
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This character is rarely used in isolation in spoken Cantonese and is almost always part of a compound word like 媚態 or 媚笑. It carries a strong negative connotation of being servile or insincere to gain favor, distinguishing it from simply being charming or attractive. When used as a verb, it implies a deliberate, often pathetic, attempt to please someone in a position of power.
Examples
He is always fawning over the boss with a sycophantic smile, it is really disgusting.
Why do you need to be so sycophantic to him? We are just friends.
Related words
Common phrases
fawning smile
sycophantic manner
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 魅, which relates to charm or supernatural allure. While 媚 focuses on the act of fawning or sycophancy, 魅 is about an inherent, often mysterious, attractiveness.
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.
