pei2 si6鄙視鄙视
Jyutpingpei2 si6
Yalepéi sih
Definition
To look down on; to despise or show contempt for.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Expresses a strong sense of intellectual or social superiority over someone else. While it is a standard verb, it often carries a formal or literary weight that makes it sound quite serious when used in casual conversation. People frequently use more colloquial alternatives like 睇唔起 to convey the same feeling in daily life.
Examples
He always looks down on the grassroots employees.
Why do you have to look down on other people's hobbies?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this word too lightly for minor annoyances. It implies a deep-seated contempt or disdain rather than just a simple dislike or disagreement.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
