paak3 maa5 pei3拍馬屁拍马屁
Jyutpingpaak3 maa5 pei3
Yalepaak máh pei
Definition
To flatter or butter up someone; to lick someone's boots.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Using this term implies a negative judgment about the person being flattered, suggesting their motives are insincere or self-serving. It is often used to describe someone who goes out of their way to gain favor with a superior. The phrase is vivid and carries a strong sense of disapproval.
Examples
He loves to suck up, always praising the boss.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with genuine praise or compliments, as it specifically refers to sycophantic behavior intended to manipulate or gain personal advantage.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
