tai4 siu3 gaai1 fei1啼笑皆非
Jyutpingtai4 siu3 gaai1 fei1
Yaletàih siu gāai fēi
Definition
To not know whether to laugh or cry; finding something both funny and annoying, or both embarrassing and amusing.
writtenemotiondescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used when a situation is so absurd or ridiculous that it evokes a mix of amusement and frustration. It is often applied to human errors or nonsensical bureaucratic procedures that are too silly to be taken seriously but too problematic to ignore. Unlike simple laughter, it carries a sense of helplessness or disbelief regarding the stupidity of an event.
Examples
His explanation really leaves me not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Seeing the result, do you feel like you don't know whether to laugh or cry?
Related words
Common phrases
to make someone not know whether to laugh or cry
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say something is funny, but it specifically requires a situation that is also frustrating or embarrassing. It is not appropriate for purely humorous or lighthearted events.
Grammar color guide
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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).
