ngok6 jyu4 leoi6鱷魚淚鳄鱼泪

Jyutpingngok6 jyu4 leoi6

Yalengohk yùh leuih

Definition

Crocodile tears; a hypocritical display of sadness, sympathy, or regret.

colloquialemotionpeople

How it's used

This expression is used exclusively to describe insincere displays of emotion, particularly when someone is trying to manipulate others by appearing victimized or sorrowful. It is frequently paired with verbs like 扮 or 流 to emphasize the performative nature of the act. Unlike formal or literary terms for hypocrisy, this carries a sharp, mocking tone that directly calls out the person's dishonesty.

Examples

keoi5佢go2嗰di1啲ngok6鱷jyu4魚leoi6淚，aak3呃m4唔dou3到ngo5我㗎。

His crocodile tears won't fool me.

nei5你mai1咪hai2喺dou6度baan3扮ngok6鱷jyu4魚leoi6淚laa1啦，hou2好gaa3假aa4呀。

Stop putting on a show of crocodile tears, it's so fake.

Common phrases

baan3扮ngok6鱷jyu4魚leoi6淚

to put on a show of crocodile tears

lau4流ngok6鱷jyu4魚leoi6淚

to shed crocodile tears

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe genuine sadness, even if the person is crying excessively. It is an accusation of deception, so using it in a serious or sympathetic context will sound extremely offensive or sarcastic.