san4 zang1 gwai2 jim3神憎鬼厭神憎鬼厌
Jyutpingsan4 zang1 gwai2 jim3
Yalesàhn jāng gwái yim
Definition
Extremely despicable, detestable, or repulsive; bringing disgust even to gods and ghosts.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
This idiom describes someone whose behavior is so intolerable that it offends both the spiritual and human realms. It is often used to criticize people who lack social awareness or repeatedly disrupt public order. While it sounds intense, it is frequently used in casual conversation to express strong annoyance toward someone's character or actions.
Examples
He is always causing trouble, he is truly detestable.
Why are you being so annoying and despicable?
Related words
Common phrases
behavior that is detestable
the most despicable
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe inanimate objects or situations, as it specifically targets the personality or behavior of a person. It is also quite strong, so using it against someone you do not know well can sound aggressive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
