zaa3 gaa1 ji1詐假意诈假意
Jyutpingzaa3 gaa1 ji1
Yaleja gā yī
Definition
Pretendingly, hypocritically, or sneakily.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of deceitful posturing, often implying that someone is putting on a fake act to hide their true, usually selfish, intentions. It is frequently used to describe someone acting innocent or nonchalant while they are actually plotting something behind the scenes. The expression is highly colloquial and often used in warnings to alert others about a suspicious person.
Examples
He snuck over there, trying to steal your wallet.
Don't pretend you don't know, you actually knew all along.
Related words
Common phrases
to pretend not to know
to sneakily approach
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with simple pretending, but it specifically implies a sneaky or dishonest motive behind the act. It is not used for harmless or playful make-believe.
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.
