san4 jau6 hai6 keoi5 gwai2 jau6 hai6 keoi5神又係佢鬼又係佢神又系渠鬼又系渠

Jyutpingsan4 jau6 hai6 keoi5 gwai2 jau6 hai6 keoi5

Yalesàhn yauh haih kéuih gwái yauh haih kéuih

語句

Definition

Two-faced; playing opposing sides or contradictory roles to deceitfully manipulate a situation.

colloquialpeopleslang

How it's used

This idiom describes someone who manipulates a situation by controlling both sides of a conflict to their own advantage. It implies a sense of hypocrisy and deceit, often used when someone sets up a problem and then pretends to be the one solving it. It is a very common way to call out someone for being untrustworthy or playing a double game.

Examples

le1呢daan1單je5嘢san4神jau6又hai6係keoi5佢gwai2鬼jau6又hai6係keoi5佢，dim2點aa4呀？

He is playing both sides in this matter, how can we trust him?

nei5你mai1咪lei5理keoi5佢laa1啦，keoi5佢seng4成jat6日san4神jau6又hai6係keoi5佢gwai2鬼jau6又hai6係keoi5佢㗎。

Don't pay attention to him, he is always acting as both the judge and the jury.

Common phrases

san4神jau6又hai6係keoi5佢gwai2鬼jau6又hai6係keoi5佢

to play both sides

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is simply indecisive or changing their mind. It specifically requires the element of active manipulation or playing two conflicting roles simultaneously to deceive others.