se4 tau4 syu2 ngaan5蛇頭鼠眼蛇头鼠眼
Jyutpingse4 tau4 syu2 ngaan5
Yalesèh tàuh syú ngáahn
Definition
Shifty-eyed, cunning, or crafty in appearance, suggesting someone is unreliable and dishonest.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is a vivid visual description that focuses on the facial features associated with untrustworthiness. It is used exclusively to judge someone's character based on their appearance, implying they are sneaky or up to no good. Because it is quite a strong personal attack on someone's looks, it is considered rude and should be used with caution.
Examples
That guy looks shifty and cunning, don't do business with him.
He always looks so shifty and crafty, he really doesn't seem honest.
Related words
Common phrases
looks shifty and cunning
born with a shifty and crafty appearance
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply nervous or shy. It specifically carries a negative connotation of moral dishonesty or criminal intent, rather than just social anxiety.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
