ngau1 saam1 daap3 sei3勾三搭四
Jyutpingngau1 saam1 daap3 sei3
Yalengāu sāam daap sei
Definition
To flirt around or be promiscuous; to have multiple romantic or sexual relationships at the same time.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong moral judgment and is used exclusively to criticize someone for being unfaithful or overly flirtatious. It implies a lack of integrity in romantic relationships and is often used in gossip to describe someone who is seen as loose or untrustworthy. Because of its derogatory nature, it is rarely used in polite or formal company.
Examples
He is always being promiscuous; he really has no self-respect.
Why are you always flirting around with other people?
Related words
Common phrases
always being promiscuous
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being friendly or social. It specifically targets romantic or sexual impropriety and implies a pattern of behavior rather than a one-time event.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
