tai2 dai1睇低
Jyutpingtai2 dai1
Yaletái dāi
Definition
To look down on, despise, or underestimate someone.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of arrogance and social condescension, implying that the speaker considers themselves superior to the person being judged. It is frequently used to criticize someone's elitist attitude or lack of empathy toward those they perceive as having lower status.
Examples
You should not look down on others.
He always looks down on me, it is really annoying.
Related words
Common phrases
to look down on people
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 睇唔起, which is a more common and versatile way to express that you do not respect someone or think they are capable. While they are often interchangeable, 睇低 specifically emphasizes the act of ranking someone as lower than yourself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
