teng1 lok6 jau5 gwat1聽落有骨听落有骨
Jyutpingteng1 lok6 jau5 gwat1
Yaletēng lohk yáuh gwāt
Definition
To sound sarcastic, offensive, or to have a hidden, prickly message.
colloquialcommunicationemotion
How it's used
This expression specifically refers to speech that sounds polite or neutral on the surface but contains a sharp, critical, or sarcastic undertone. It is often used when someone is being passive aggressive or making a veiled insult. The word 骨 literally means bone, implying that there is something hard or prickly hidden beneath the soft exterior of the words.
Examples
His words sound like they have a hidden meaning, as if he is targeting me.
Related words
Common phrases
to sound like there is a hidden, critical message
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being direct or rude. It specifically describes the feeling of detecting a hidden, unpleasant subtext that the speaker is trying to mask.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
