saa2 siu3耍笑
Jyutpingsaa2 siu3
Yalesá siu
Definition
To joke, make fun of, or play a trick on someone.
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How it's used
This term carries a slightly mischievous or teasing tone, often implying that the joke might be at someone else's expense. It is distinct from simply telling a joke, which would be 講笑, as 耍笑 focuses more on the act of targeting a person for amusement. It is frequently used in social settings where the teasing is lighthearted but persistent.
Examples
They like to play jokes on the new colleague.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 講笑, but 講笑 is neutral and simply means telling a joke or being funny, whereas 耍笑 implies an active target or a more playful, sometimes annoying, interaction with someone.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
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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.
