zaau2 fui3 hei3找晦氣找晦气
Jyutpingzaau2 fui3 hei3
Yalejáau fui hei
Definition
To pick on someone, vent anger on them, or retaliate after being provoked.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This expression describes a specific type of displacement where someone transfers their negative emotions onto an innocent third party. It implies that the person being targeted is not the cause of the original problem, making the action seen as unfair or irrational. The term is heavily associated with petty, spiteful behavior rather than a legitimate confrontation.
Examples
Why did you go and pick on him for no reason?
He was in a bad mood himself, so he vented his frustration on me.
Related words
Common phrases
to find someone to vent one's anger on
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with simple complaining or arguing. Remember that the core of 找晦氣 is the act of making someone else a scapegoat for your own bad mood, rather than just expressing disagreement.
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.
