wai4 fei1 zok3 daai2為非作歹为非作歹
Jyutpingwai4 fei1 zok3 daai2
Yalewàih fēi jok dáai
Definition
To do evil; to commit crimes or act immorally.
neutralother
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that carries a strong moral judgment, often used to describe someone who consistently engages in criminal or antisocial behavior. While it is a four-character idiom, it fits naturally into spoken Cantonese sentences when you want to emphasize the severity or the habitual nature of the wrongdoing. It is significantly more descriptive and heavy than simply saying 犯法 or 做壞事.
Examples
They are always committing crimes on the street, it is very troublesome.
Related words
Common phrases
to commit crimes everywhere
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple verb like 偷嘢 or 打劫, but it is an idiom that implies a pattern of behavior rather than a single incident. Avoid using it for minor mistakes or accidents, as it specifically connotes malicious intent or criminal activity.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
