saan1 gai1 mou5 geng3山雞舞鏡山鸡舞镜

Jyutpingsaan1 gai1 mou5 geng3

Yalesāan gāi móuh geng

Definition

To admire one's own reflection; self-appreciation or narcissism.

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How it's used

This idiom originates from a legend about a pheasant that danced upon seeing its own reflection, mistaking it for another bird. It carries a strong nuance of vanity or self obsession, often used to mock someone who is overly preoccupied with their own appearance or achievements. Unlike neutral terms for self appreciation, this phrase implies a lack of self awareness or a comical level of narcissism.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日saan1山gai1雞mou5舞geng3鏡，zan1真hai6係hou2好zi6自lyun2戀。

He is always admiring himself in the mirror, he is so narcissistic.

nei5你m4唔hou2好zoi3再saan1山gai1雞mou5舞geng3鏡laa3喇，faai3快di1啲zou6做je5嘢laa1啦。

Stop admiring yourself and get to work.

Common phrases

zi6自ming6命bat1不faan4凡

to consider oneself extraordinary

zi6自ngo5我tou4陶zeoi3醉

to be self intoxicated

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a positive compliment about self confidence, but it is almost exclusively used as a mild insult or a sarcastic observation about someone being vain.