si6 fei1是非

Jyutpingsi6 fei1

Yalesih fēi

名詞Common

Definition

Right and wrong, whether factually or morally.

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

While the literal meaning refers to right and wrong, the term is predominantly used in daily life to mean gossip or stirring up trouble between people. When someone is described as 鍾意講是非, they are being accused of spreading rumors or creating social friction rather than discussing moral philosophy. It carries a negative connotation of being a busybody or a troublemaker.

Examples

nei5你m4唔hou2好seng4成jat6日喺hai2背bui3後hau6講gong2人jan4是si6非fei1啦。

Stop gossiping about people behind their backs all the time.

Common phrases

gong2講si6是fei1非

to gossip

si6是fei1非zing1精

a troublemaker who loves gossip

si6是fei1非fan1分ming4明

to distinguish clearly between right and wrong

Common mistake

Learners often mistake it for a formal philosophical term, but in casual conversation, it almost exclusively refers to petty gossip or interpersonal conflict. Using it to mean objective truth or moral judgment can sound overly formal or slightly unnatural.