san1 si1 lo4 baak6 pei4新絲蘿蔔皮新丝萝卜皮
Jyutpingsan1 si1 lo4 baak6 pei4
Yalesān sī lòh baahk pèih
Definition
An arrogant person who thinks too highly of themselves or does not know their place.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
This expression serves as a sharp, dismissive retort aimed at someone who displays arrogance or acts with an unearned sense of importance. It functions as a metaphorical label for someone who lacks the status or ability they claim to possess. Using this phrase is inherently confrontational and is typically reserved for moments of intense frustration or when someone needs to be brought back down to earth.
Examples
He thinks he is so great, but actually he is just a nobody who thinks too highly of himself.
Related words
Common phrases
to think of oneself as someone important
Common mistake
Do not use this in formal or professional settings, as it is highly insulting and aggressive. It is strictly a colloquial insult and will likely escalate a conflict if used in a serious argument.
Grammar color guide
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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).
