sai3 gaai3 zai2世界仔
Definition
A slick character or smooth operator who knows how to please everyone and look out for themselves.
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of skepticism or disapproval, implying that the person prioritizes personal gain and social maneuvering over sincerity. It describes someone who is overly adept at navigating social hierarchies and pleasing those in power to advance their own interests. While it can sometimes be used in a slightly admiring way for someone's competence, it usually suggests a lack of genuine integrity or moral backbone.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply well-traveled or worldly in a positive sense. It specifically targets social manipulation and opportunism, so using it to praise someone's broad life experience will likely be taken as an insult.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
