sing1 sing1 zok3 taai3惺惺作態惺惺作态
Jyutpingsing1 sing1 zok3 taai3
Yalesīng sīng jok taai
Definition
To act pretentiously or hypocritically; to put on a show without being genuine.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the performative nature of insincerity, specifically when someone puts on a false display of emotion or virtue to manipulate how others perceive them. It carries a strong sense of disdain and is almost exclusively used to criticize someone's behavior as fake or manipulative.
Examples
He is being pretentious, it makes me sick just watching him.
Related words
Common phrases
persistently acting pretentious
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being shy or reserved, as it implies a deliberate, deceptive performance rather than a lack of confidence.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
