tai2 seoi1睇衰
Jyutpingtai2 seoi1
Yaletái sēui
Definition
To look down on, despise, or underestimate someone.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This expression carries a strong sense of prejudice or underestimation, often implying that the speaker believes someone will fail or is inherently inferior. It is frequently used in defensive contexts where someone feels their abilities or potential are being unfairly judged by others. Unlike the more neutral 睇唔起, 睇衰 often carries a predictive element, suggesting that the person being looked down upon is expected to fail.
Examples
Don't look down on people, he is actually very capable.
Related words
Common phrases
to be looked down upon by others
do not look down on
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 睇錯, which means to misread or misidentify something. Remember that 睇衰 is about an attitude of contempt or low expectations toward a person, whereas 睇錯 is a simple mistake in perception.
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.
