tai2 soeng5 ngaan5睇上眼

Jyutpingtai2 soeng5 ngaan5

Yaletái séuhng ngáahn

動詞

Definition

To take a fancy to someone or something; to look at and like very much.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Focuses on the subjective judgment of whether something or someone meets your personal standards or taste. It is almost always used in the negative form 睇唔上眼 to express disdain or a lack of interest in something that others might consider acceptable. The phrase implies a sense of pickiness or having high expectations.

Examples

le1呢gin2件saam1衫ngo5我tai2睇m4唔soeng6上ngaan5眼，taai2太faa1花laa3喇。

I don't fancy this shirt, it's too flashy.

nei5你gaan2揀zo2咗gam3咁noi6耐，jau5有mou5冇bin1邊go3個tai2睇soeng5上ngaan5眼aa4呀？

You've been choosing for so long, is there anyone you fancy?

Common phrases

tai2睇m4唔soeng6上ngaan5眼

to look down on something or find it not to one's taste

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 睇中, which simply means to choose or pick something. 睇上眼 carries a stronger nuance of evaluation and personal preference, often implying that the object in question is being judged against a specific standard.