tai2 sei2睇死
Jyutpingtai2 sei2
Yaletái séi
Definition
To look down on someone and be certain they will fail or cannot achieve something.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This expression carries a strong sense of condescension or dismissiveness toward someone's abilities. It is frequently used when the speaker wants to challenge someone's negative prediction or prove them wrong. It implies a lack of faith in the other person's potential, often bordering on mockery.
Examples
Don't underestimate people; maybe they really can handle it.
He always thinks I'll fail the exam, it's really annoying.
Related words
Common phrases
to be underestimated by others
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 睇死人, which can also mean 'to see a dead person' in a literal sense. Context is key, as the metaphorical meaning is much more common in daily speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
