siu3 min6 fu2笑面虎
Jyutpingsiu3 min6 fu2
Yalesiu mihn fú
Definition
An outwardly kind but inwardly cruel person; a wicked person with a phony smile.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term captures a specific type of social danger where someone hides their true, malicious intentions behind a mask of friendliness. It is frequently used to warn others about people in professional or social hierarchies who might sabotage you while pretending to be helpful. The imagery of a tiger emphasizes that the threat is not just annoying, but potentially predatory and dangerous.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
You really shouldn't trust him, he's a smiling tiger.
Why do you think that new colleague is a smiling tiger?
Related words
Common phrases
beware of a smiling tiger
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply fake or annoying. It is reserved for people who are actively malicious or dangerous, not just someone who is being insincere or polite for social reasons.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
